Leeds United might have four points from their opening three Premier League games, but it is difficult to pinpoint which of Daniel Farke’s squad have enjoyed three solid matches.
Lucas Perri has kept two clean sheets from three, but Jamie Carragher has his concerns. The defence has done their bit, but did concede five times against Arsenal at The Emirates, falling apart to The Gunners.
The midfield has already had to endure rotation and injury, with Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka injured. It is unclear if Ilia Gruev has picked up a knock with Bulgaria, or Gruev was left out after a ‘serious scandal’.
One goal in three games speaks volumes about the attack. But one player has just managed to match Emi Buendia’s Premier League record in his first games, with Buendia strongly linked with a move to Leeds.
Aston Villa playmaker Emi Buendia
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New Leeds player matches Emi Buendia’s Premier League record
Leeds fans seem to agree that the best three players have been Jayden Bogle, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Anton Stach. Bogle has scored one of Leeds’ two goals, albeit against Sheffield Wednesday in the Cup.
Gudmundsson seems an improvement on Junior Firpo, while Stach has been enigmatic both on and off the pitch. Delve a little deeper, and the stats work in Stach’s favour as Leeds’ most-creative source.
Anton Stach, playing for Leeds United vs Everton - Premier League
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Germany international Stach is only behind Bruno Fernandes in Premier League chances created, and now statistician Jonny Cooper says Stach has broken a record previously held by Aston Villa’s Buendia.
Cooper posted on X: “Anton Stach is the first midfielder to create 3+ chances in each of his first three Premier League appearances since Emiliano Buendía in August 2019 for Daniel Farke’s Norwich side.”
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Anton Stach is a positive, but Leeds still lack that creative spark
Stach creating chances is a real positive and of course, it was Stach’s long-range effort that won Leeds the match-winning penalty against Everton. But Leeds need more in the final third when it comes to creativity.
Leeds have signed 10 players, nine of which are above 6ft. If The Whites are going to take advantage of their newfound advantage and height from set-pieces, they needed a set-piece taker – not 6ft 4in Stach.
Harry Wilson would have been perfect. Buendia would have been perfect. But Leeds have made a grave error in not signing a player like Wilson or Buendia, and until January, Stach will have to be that man.