Leeds United have been blessed with some phenomenal centre-backs over the years.
The older Leeds fans among us are lucky enough to remember the likes of Norman Hunter and Jack Charlton at the heart of our defence under Don Revie.
After the ten seasons Lucas Radebe was at the club between 1994 and 2005, the South African defender ensured his name was also immortalised forever at Elland Road. Radebe is also one of the finest defenders we have seen in a white shirt. (LUFCHistory)
Now, the 49ers look as if they have another defender whose performances will ensure he is always remembered fondly in West Yorkshire.
Tarik Muharemovic stars (yet again!) during Tottenham clash
During our 1-0 win against Tottenham over the weekend, Tarik Muharemovic’s performance earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
As the full-time whistle blew, he sprinted straight over to the South Stand and soaked up the celebrations with James Trafford. The lad is already a player we adore as United fans. And it’s only been a few months since his £34million move from Sassuolo!
Muharemovic was sensational once again as we kept our fourth Premier League clean sheet from our opening ten games.
Speaking on punditry after the game for TNT Sports, Glen Hoddle also sang the praises of the 23-year-old. He praised Muharemovic’s reading of the game, technique, and his line-breaking passes into midfield.
Hoddle also said that Muharemovic “got his head on everything” against Tottenham. This is something we’ve become used to seeing from our defender this season.
Now, Opta’s Jonny Cooper has provided a statistic that supports what we’ve been seeing all season. The Leeds supporter posted a graph of players in the Premier League with the most clearances and headed clearances this season.
Muharemovic is not only at the top of this graph, no other player is even remotely close to the Bosnian. It’s early days, but so far, everyone has to admit that Muharemovic has been one of the best defenders in the Premier League this season.
Tarik Muharemovic’s performance against Spurs by the numbers
It’s no wonder why Muharemovic sits at the top of the graph for the most clearances in the Premier League.
Against Tottenham alone, he managed 13. This is in addition to one tackle and four recoveries.
Muharemovic was also exceptional in his duels over the weekend.
He won both of the ground duels he contested and four of the five aerial duels he was involved in.
On the ball, Muharemovic was also solid, completing 39 out of 49 passes. (Sofascore)
It is very clear that we’ve got a heck of a player on our hands with the Bosnian, and we need to enjoy him whilst he’s ours.
But for me, the signing of Muharemovic just proves that if we fully establish ourselves as a Premier League club, with top-flight resources, the 49ers have proven they can build a team that eventually is as good as one Radebe played in for us all those years ago.
We’re only in our second season back in the Premier League, and we’ve got a player as good as Muharemovic!
