Leeds United News readers have shared their views on their dream free-kick taker after Anton Stach’s wonder-strike in the 3-1 win over Wolves.
Before Anton Stach put the ball into Jose Sa’s top corner, no Leeds player had scored a direct free-kick for over a year, when Ilia Gruev scored in the play-off semi-final win over Norwich.
Stach’s strike was a landmark effort for the Whites, as he became the first Leeds player to score direct from a free-kick away from home in the Premier League since Ian Harte in 2003.
The German midfielder also became the first player to score their first Premier League goal from a direct free-kick since Kalvin Phillips did the same thing against West Brom in 2021.
Stach’s strike has sparked a fierce debate among Leeds United fans, as they shared their views on who their dream free-kick taker would be with money on the line.
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Leeds United fans are split over their dream free-kick taker
Following Stach’s brilliant free-kick in the win over Wolves, a post on the Leeds United News Facebook page asked fans who they would back to score a free-kick with £1 million on the line.
Former Leeds left-back Ian Harte received an early tidal wave of support from fans, thanks to his deadly delivery for the Whites in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
One fan summed up the support for Harte, posting: “It wouldn’t be anyone other than Ian Harte. By far the best set-piece taker Leeds have had.”
This was backed by another fan, who nominated Harte and another ex-Leeds legend, stating: “Ian Harte or Mel Sterland.” While another fan added: “Tony Dorigo…. mental at free kicks back in the day… Ian Harte also.”
One Leeds fan nominated another legendary figure from Leeds’ last First Division title win, arguing: “From my time watching Leeds, Gary McAllister. If you mean any player really close to the box, probably Gianfranco Zola. Any distance you gotta go, Roberto Carlos.”
Stach received some support; however, one fan believes that he has some ground to make up on several former Leeds players, as they posted: “People saying Stach and he’s scored one… Ian Harte, Robbie Blake, Eddie Lewis, David Healy, there are plenty we have had before Stach. I’d probably say Ian Harte, though.”
Away from Leeds players, former Lyon forward Juninho Pernambucano was a popular choice, as one fan stated: “You’re all saying Leeds or ex Leeds players, but Juninho Pernambucano beats them all.”
Although several fans also suggested former Manchester United man David Beckham, Harte was the most popular name on the list overall.
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Ian Harte is one of the great Premier League free-kick takers
For a period in the early 2000s, when Leeds were challenging at the top of the Premier League under David O’Leary, Harte was one of the deadliest dead-ball takers in the league.
According to Opta, Harte scored 10 of his 28 Premier League goals from free-kicks, meaning 36% of his goal tally came from dead-balls.
Harte has the joint-fifth most goals from free-kicks in Premier League history, level with former Blackburn Rovers man Morten Gamst Pedersen.
However, he remains some way behind his old rival, Beckham, who scored 18 goals from free-kicks in the top-flight during his Manchester United career.
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