Leeds United have signed seven players so far, with Anton Stach bolstering Daniel Farke’s ranks as the sixth summer signing.
The former TSG 1899 Hoffenheim midfielder Anton Stach became the second midfielder in a week to join Leeds United after Sean Longstaff completed a double switch.
The 6’4″ ace has vast top flight experience in Germany, and he should add plenty both on and off the pitch for Leeds. The 26-year-old is getting his first taste of English football, though.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed a £17.3 million plus add-ons fee for Stach was agreed, and it has since been reported that Stach will cost Leeds £19.9 million if all of those are met, making Stach one of the most expensive Leeds signings ever.
Graham Smyth outlines surprising Anton Stach reveal
Leeds continued their pre-season tour in Germany with a 3-2 win against 2. Bundesliga side SC Paderborn 07. Goals from Joel Piroe, Lukas Nmecha, and Willy Gnonto secured a hard-fought victory.
However, it was new arrivals catching the eye with another run out in Leeds shirts. Stach’s debut of any kind came against Paderborn.
The powerful midfielder collected an assist for the first goal as well. He caught the attention of many, but some surprising information has also come to light.
Leeds are still in need of some new set-piece takers following Joe Rothwell’s loan ending. Graham Smyth spoke via the Inside Elland Road podcast to outline Stach’s surprising proficiency in that area.
He said: “Stach is no longer the skinny kid that he used to be. He told us yesterday that he grew 25 centimeters in one year, having been quite small and skinny.
“And then he was far too skinny for his height and he had to bulk up quite a bit. But he wasn’t always quite a defensive destroyer. He was more of a creator, a technician.
“He took lots of corners and free-kicks in his time. Daniel Farke mentioned he can rake corners and free-kicks but when you’ve got a player of 6’4”, you want them in the penalty area.
“They now, suddenly, are a lot more physical, a lot bigger, a lot stronger, and — you would think — a little bit more adapted and suited to life in the Premier League where every team has a team of elite athletes.”
It’s unlikely, but perhaps Leeds will put Stach on set-pieces if no one is signed with that skill within their toolkit. Leeds need a squad with a range of attributes that complements one another in those strengths and covers for each other’s weaknesses.
Why exactly Anton Stach is Leeds’ best signing so far
We suggested Leeds sign Stach after missing out on Habib Diarra, with his strengths likely to serve Leeds well in a relegation battle next season.
In so many ways, Stach should be a ‘game changer’ and ceiling-raiser for Leeds. But more than anything else, Stach’s versatility will be crucial for Farke and how he can utilise him.
Not only is he an excellent addition in that sense, but Stach’s brought the average height up considerably in this Leeds squad — as Smyth explains.
His combination of being multi-faceted and versatile, as well as an absolute giant, is why he is undoubtedly Leeds’ best summer signing so far in this window.
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