Tarik Muharemovic has arguably been Leeds United’s biggest success story of the season so far. There was initial concern that he’d struggle to instantly replace Pascal Struijk, but he’s been even better.

Gary Lineker said that Muharemovic is a contender for signing of the season, alongside the likes of Ezri Konsa and other new additions. The Bosnian has been a revelation for Leeds, a bargain at a huge £34m.

Leeds paid double what they received for Struijk, yet the former Juventus star is proving to be a bargain given the clubs interested in him – Barcelona, Bayern, Inter – and the lofty £60m price tag being reported.

Radebe was immediately impressed by Muharemovic

The left-footed defender has played every minute of Leeds’ 12 games in all competitions, helping the Whites secure five clean sheets and even scoring in the 6-3 loss to Chelsea. He has been monumental.

Speaking on Leeds United’s podcast, with Muharemovic a guest this week, presenter and former Whites striker Michael Bridges shared how Lucas Radebe first reacted to watching Muharemovic in a Leeds shirt.

“You’d say, ’What are you doing, Chief?’ He’d say, ’You get kicked on a Saturday, you’re getting kicked here [in training]’. He was sitting next to me, and I said, ‘Keep an eye on this player [Muharemovic].

“‘Tell me what you think’. After one minute, you’d been on the ball, doing what you do; a big diagonal pass, he went, ‘We’ve got a player’. If you’re getting credit off Lucas, you know you’ve made it here.”

Tarik Muharemovic is leading the Premier League charts

Peter Crouch might have teased him for topping the ‘launches’ chart in the Premier League, but the Leeds defender does rank above every other Premier League defender for defensive contributions this season.

Given it is his first 10 games in the Premier League, that is mightily impressive. There is a feeling among Leeds fans that it is worth enjoying Muharemovic while it lasts; he is a young, left-footed defender.

A rare commodity in the game today, which big clubs often try to snap up as soon as possible. He might be rated at £60m right now, but if he continues this form by the end of the season, that could quickly rise.

It helps that Muharemovic has played every minute for Leeds so far, while also doing so for Bosnia. This week, Muharemovic will serve a one-game ban in the Nations League, earning some well-deserved rest.

He will play once for Bosnia during the break against Romania, before returning to play a key role when Leeds go to Chelsea for the second time this season; this time, in the Premier League.