Anton Stach: We Watched Him So You Don't Have To

The gap between the Premier League and the Championship is ever widening, making it harder and harder for promoted teams to secure their status in the English top flight for more than a single season.

As the 2025/26 season is quickly approaching, the Premier League’s new boys have splashed the cash, with Burnley bringing in a combination of experience and youth, compared to Sunderland, who have gambled on several young talents to strengthen their bid for survival.

🚨 Granit Xhaka has informed Bayer Leverkusen that he ONLY wants to join Sunderland. Personal terms are already agreed. 🤝

Club-to-club talks continue over a fee.

(Source: @David_Ornstein ) pic.twitter.com/qielkjvkPn

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 22, 2025

The final team, Leeds United, have also added to their squad. However, Leeds are somewhat of an outlier. A former giant, backed by a powerful and rich ownership group, Daniel Farke’s side have a superb chance of staying in the top-flight.

The latest signing for the Northern club was Anton Stach, a German midfielder from Hoffenheim, who looks set to partner alongside Sean Longstaff and Ilia Gruev in the middle.

But who is Stach and what can he bring to the Premier League, and Leeds United?

Stach’s Journey To The Premier League

A German youth international, at 26 years of age, Stach has had quite the career before his move to the Premier League, with the midfielder being considered a player who is ready to make a large impact from the word ‘go’ by Leeds.

The 26-year-old began his journey at VfL Osnabrück Under 19’s and SSV Jeddeloh before appearing for Wolfsburg’s 2nd team in 2018, making 41 appearances and scoring seven goals in his early career.

However, Stach did not seem to make the cut at Bundesliga level, joining Greuther Furth in the Bundesliga 2 on a free transfer.

For Furth, Stach was an instant success, playing 33 times in his debut season at the club and netting one goal. The German midfielder’s success in his first season in senior football would be enough to secure a move to the top flight, with Mainz 05 investing in his services.

Anton Stach - Mainz 05 2022-2023 Midfield Template, Radar pic.twitter.com/bMX3C9Eo1W

— Cannon Stats (@CannonStats) June 17, 2023

At Mainz, the 26-year-old made a name for himself in the Bundesliga, having a brilliant debut season at the club, scoring one goal and assisting six in 29 appearances in the Bundesliga.

From here, Stach continued to build, registering five goal contributions in his second campaign and making his senior debut for Germany, before switching clubs again as he moved to Hoffenheim, late in the summer of 2023.

An accomplished midfielder in the division, at this point, Stach would net four goals and assist five across his two campaigns, despite being more of a defensive player.

Now moving to the Premier League, if Stach can emulate anywhere near his form in Germany, he will be a fabulous addition for a newly promoted side.

Playstyle

An anchor in the middle, and nicknamed the German ‘Declan Rice’, Stach has all of the potential to transform Farke’s Leeds midfield completely.

An incredibly energetic man in the middle, Stach can cover ground at a phenomenal rate. However, defensive actions are the German’s priority.

Across the past two seasons in the Bundesliga, the 26-year-old is ranked as the top player for interceptions (120), third for possession won (393), and fourth for tackles (142) and duels won (381).

The former Hoffenheim man also sits within the top three players in the Bundesliga for duels won, possessions won, defensive duels won, sliding tackles, possessions won, and interceptions.

🇩🇪 Anton Stach (26)

2,585 Bundesliga minutes, ~35% at CB.
Left: DM/CM; Right: CB/DM/CM.
CB usage may slightly inflate progression metrics in MF comparison. Still, strong all-round ability. https://t.co/pGn6TCvy1D pic.twitter.com/212vzw5FTr

— efStats (@ef_Stats) July 16, 2025

Comparatively, in the 2023/24 season, Stach was also ranked second across Europe’s top leagues for interceptions (74). A brute in the middle, Stach also matches up against other midfielders, sitting above 98% of players for duels won, possessions won, and above 88% for forward passes completed and progressive passes completed.

The German can do a little bit of everything, and not only can he win the ball, but he can also be a springboard for Leeds, progressing the play forward and transitioning from defence to attack by finding Wilfred Gnonto or Largie Ramazani on the wings.

Per 90 in the Bundesliga, Stach averages 1.22 shots, 2.68 accurate long balls, and 0.90 chances created, compared to on the defensive side of the game, 1.60 tackles won, 1.88 aerial duels won, 1.60 interceptions, and 5.94 recoveries.

Alongside creators such as Gruev, Brenden Aaronson, and Joel Piroe, Stach could hand his teammates the perfect license to attack.

How Will He Fit In Farke’s System?

6 signings ✅
£60m spent ✅
27 days until Everton ✅

Happy so far? ⚪️#LUFC pic.twitter.com/PZD27CUN5B

— The Leeds Zone (@TheLeedsZone) July 22, 2025

He might not provide goals or assists. However, the word ‘solid’ comes to mind when describing the German midfielder, Starch is going to be a dependable player that turns up week-in and week-out for Farke’s side, and for a team in the position of Leeds – this is a fantastic signing.

Joining up with fellow reinforcements such as Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol, and Sebastiaan Bornaux, there has been some positive pieces of business at Elland Road, and if all goes to plan, they have a great chance to stay in the Premier League for years to come.