We’re not even a third of the way through the 2026-27 Premier League campaign, but we’re already getting the same feeling watching Tarik Muharemovic that we got watching Raphinha at Leeds United way back when.
Not quite the same feelings, admittedly. Different players, different roles.
As a centre-back by trade, it’d be borderline impossible for Muharemovic to evoke quite the same sensation that Raphinha gave us when he pulled off the most outrageous of nutmegs on Gary Cahill.
He’s a defender. He’s not going to leave jaws on the floor with outrageous tricks or moments of individual brilliance. But we’re almost every bit as impressed by what Muharemovic brings to the table.
You watch him and think: how have Leeds pulled this off? This is a player who surely belongs at the Champions League level, and it’s difficult to imagine that not being his eventual destination.
We recognised those same qualities in Raphinha remarkably early in his Leeds career, and look at him now; playing a key role in multiple La Liga title triumphs, producing Ballon d’Or-worthy campaigns, and currently sitting atop the European goalscoring charts.
Muharemovic might not quite hit those very same heights – again, he’s a centre-back – but you’ve watched him at Leeds and can’t escape the feeling that he’s destined for the very top. He is surely the signing of the summer at £34.1million from Sassuolo.
Leeds are among the Premier League’s most watertight defences this season, with only Brighton and Arsenal conceding fewer goals. Muharemovic has been instrumental in that achievement, the standout player in Daniel Farke’s squad.
He was especially immense in Leeds’ 1-0 win over Tottenham, earning man-of-the-match honours with 14 defensive contributions, the joint-most on the pitch. He made 13 clearances, won four of his five aerial duels and wasn’t dribbled past once.
He was equally composed in possession, completing 80% of his passes, including 10 line-breaking efforts. You’ll find fewer more complete centre-back performances in the Premier League this season.
“He did a tackle right in front of the South Stand and the whole place erupted. I was thinking, ‘you’re going to go down well with this club,” former Leeds United manager Simon Grayson told BBC Sport before his best display yet.
“I’m not daft enough to think he doesn’t have aspirations to one day play for some of the biggest clubs in the world,
“But right now? Sometimes a player is at home with a certain club and I get that feeling with Muharemovic. I get the impression he loves Leeds, he loves the city and he loves the supporters.”
It was much the same with Raphinha. He seemed to revel in being a Leeds player, feeding off the atmosphere at Elland Road and giving as much back as he got.
Every supporter who does not follow a club at the very top of the food chain – Real Madrid fans, basically – will recognise that bittersweet, almost melancholic feeling of being blessed with such a player. You’re punching above your weight, mate; she’ll leave you for some dickhead with double your salary that drives an Audi.
But you’d have to be a particularly miserable soul not to enjoy this while it lasts. He’s only just arrived, committed to a five-year contract, and there’s absolutely no reason to start contemplating life without him already.
There’s no reason Leeds can’t aspire to be the club that meets Muharemovic’s potential. Perhaps they can grow together, with the defender helping take them towards his level. That’s the dream, anyway. What’s the point of football without dreams?
Ahead of Raphinha’s second season, Leeds signed Junior Firpo and Daniel James. An injury crisis followed, Marcelo Bielsa was sacked, Jesse Marsch took over and, by the time Barcelona came calling, the Brazilian was taking long throws. He had clearly outgrown that nonsense.
History doesn’t have to repeat itself. Leeds have recruited well under the 49ers, and there’s plenty to like about the club’s direction of travel. The squad needs strengthening, particularly in attack, but why can’t they keep pulling off masterstrokes like Muharemovic and build something capable of matching his ambitions?
The future can wait. Right now, Leeds have one of the Premier League’s finest defenders. That’s something to enjoy, not fret about.