Leeds United made 10 new signings in the summer, but it is fair to say, only a handful of those have had a positive impact on Daniel Farke’s squad since their arrival.
Only Lucas Perri, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Anton Stach have started all three Premier League games so far. There are question marks over Perri despite two clean sheets, and now, Perri has suffered an injury.
Leeds fans believe Gudmundsson, Stach and Jayden Bogle have been Leeds’ three best players so far. Sean Longstaff was man of the match in his only Premier League start against Newcastle, last time out.
Lukas Nmecha has scored Leeds’ only goal and impressed against Newcastle. But more is needed, even if Jaka Bijol, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Sebastiaan Bornauw, and James Justin are yet to start in the league.
Leeds star eyed as World Cup solution, it would be a surprise
Only five players in Daniel Farke’s current side were on international duty during the September break. Karl Darlow and Dan James with Wales, after Joe Rodon withdrew and Ethan Ampadu was injured.
Ilia Gruev has had an interesting week, while Bijol and Gudmundsson actually played against each other. But one player who was not involved but does have caps is being eyed as a surprise World Cup call-up.
German newspaper Bild lists several potential left-field inclusions for Julian Nagelsmann’s World Cup squad next summer, and lofty midfielder Stach is eyed as potential cover for Bayern’s Julian Kimmich.
Bild say on Stach: “Good start to the season, exciting profile as a strong running midfielder and sweeper in front of the defence. Nagelsmann is still looking for an ideal replacement for captain Joshua Kimmich.”
Anton Stach’s last caps for Germany came way back in 2022
Much was made of Stach being a Germany international when he joined Leeds. Indeed, Stach was Leeds’ most expensive signing at a total fee of £19.9m, when he was brought in from German side Hoffenheim.
But Stach is far from the Germany fold. Bild say that Nagelsmann is keeping an eye but Stach’s only two caps for Germany came way back in 2022. The 6ft 4in ace has not been involved or even called-up since.
Whether Stach impresses enough for Leeds between now and when the time comes to name the 2026 World Cup squads is down to the player himself. But Germany are watching and Stach has plenty to do.
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