Why Leeds United Wanted Anton Stach
With Premier League football returning to Elland Road, Leeds United’s recruitment team has taken a clear direction: power, athleticism, and presence. One of their primary midfield targets, Anton Stach, fitted that brief perfectly.
But beyond the profile, the stats tell the real story.
Who is Anton Stach?
At 6’4, 26-year-old Anton Stach has quietly built a strong reputation in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim. He’s a two-time German international, valued for his defensive awareness, physicality, and ability to transition play from deep. For a Leeds side preparing to navigate the chaos of the Premier League, he offers more than just presence—he brings control.
What the Numbers Say
📈 Defensive Foundation
Stach’s 2024/25 Bundesliga numbers stack up well against any holding midfielder Leeds have used in recent years.
- Ground duels won: 3.96 per 90 (58.8% success)
- Possessions won: 5.94 per 90 (tackles, interceptions, recoveries)
- Aerial duels: 1.83 won per 90 (88th percentile among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues)
- Interceptions: 1.65 per 90 (93rd percentile)
- Clearances: 3.65 per 90 (99th percentile)
What this points to is a midfielder who doesn’t just put himself in the right positions—he finishes the job. He breaks up play, wins the ball, and resets momentum.
🎯 Balanced Midfield Profile
He’s not just a destroyer, though. Stach offers tidy contributions in possession:
- Successful passes: 43.6 per 90
- Key passes: 1.4 per 90
- Progressive passing: Consistently ranked in the top third among Bundesliga midfielders
Stach won’t run the game with a Kevin De Bruyne type performance, but he’s far from a static passer. He wins it, moves it, and then moves again.
How He Compares to Leeds’ First Choice Midfield Options in 2024/25
| Metric | Stach | Ampadu | Tanaka |
| Ground Duels Won | 3.96 | 3.43 | 4.13 |
| Duel Win % | 58.8% | 58.4% | 53.1% |
| Possessions Won | 5.94 | 5.08 | 5.89 |
| Interceptions | 1.65 | 1.13 | 1.49 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 1.83 | 1.12 | 0.58 |
| Key Passes | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.9 |
While Leeds have players who can pass, press, or cover ground, none combine all three with the same level of consistency and physical presence. Stach, simply put, brings a completeness the current squad lacks.
Tactical Fit Under Daniel Farke
Farke’s system typically runs on a double pivot or midfield three. Last season, that meant Ampadu alongside Gruev or Tanaka. But against Premier League attacks, Leeds will need more:
- To dominate second balls
- Win aerials in the middle third
- Shift play quickly from back to front
That’s where Stach thrives. He doesn’t just stop attacks—he turns them into counters. Put him alongside a Sean Longstaff, Ilia Gurev, Ao Tanaka or Ethan Ampadu and suddenly, Leeds have a balanced midfield with steel and structure.
Why Now?
Reports suggest a fee in the region of €20 million (£17m) has been enough to bring him in. For a club like Leeds, that’s a clear statement of intent. He’s not a development project—he’s a plug-in starter.
With interest from Frankfurt and Stuttgart, this move has marked a significant step forward in building a strong Premier League-ready core.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just about raw numbers. Stach fits an emerging identity at Leeds: tough, athletic, and tactically smart. He’s a player who thrives in high-duel environments, reads the game well, and—crucially—has done it at Bundesliga level.
Leeds need more than just quality. They need resilience. They need height. They need a presence. Anton Stach ticks every box.
