At the 10-game stage, Leeds United are well-placed in the Premier League table even if Daniel Farke watched his side easily beaten by Brighton – but the threat of relegation remains.
Leeds have enjoyed three wins, have drawn games against Newcastle and Bournemouth, but have now tallied up five defeats to Arsenal, Tottenham, Burnley, Fulham and Brighton. Four of which were away.
Clearly, Elland Road is going to be crucial for Leeds this season. Daniel Farke’s side remains above the point-a-game curve, but only just, and relegation is still alive and well among the Elland Road terraces.
If Leeds do end up being relegated, it is easy to foresee a repeat of 2023. The departure of a whole heap of players who are unwilling to step into the Championship, and one player will almost definitely leave.
Anton Stach will seek an exit if Leeds United are relegated
At the end of the 2022-23 season, Liam Cooper is famed for telling his Leeds teammates in the dressing room after a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham that if they didn’t want to be at Leeds, then to leave immediately.
Of course, in less savoury terms. Inevitably, that will be the case if Leeds fail to escape the clutches of the bottom three next summer. Anton Stach has been speaking to German magazine Kicker this week.
It might have been a passing comment, but Stach has made it clear he will be the first one to seek an exit if Leeds are relegated. He said: “Playing in the Championship isn’t my goal, of course.”
Anton Stach will have to improve form to secure summer exit
While Stach has shown glimpses of quality, it is not as if he has been Leeds’ best player this season. Some way off it. The German has been good in parts, but a broken finger and rib have interrupted his rhythm.
Certainly, if Leeds are relegated and Stach wants to retain his Premier League status, he’s going to have to do a whole lot more to convince a top-tier side to spend big and maintain his position in the top flight.
Leeds have tied Stach down to a four-year deal, and paid almost £20m to sign him. It will not be in Leeds’ interests to sell him, even if the club are relegated, unless they make a PSR profit on the midfielder.
For Stach and for Leeds, the midfielder needs to improve. In turn, that will help Leeds stay up, or improve his chances of a summer sale. One thing is for sure, Stach doesn’t want to be relegated come next May.
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