One of the biggest talking points when it comes to picking Daniel Farke’s squad to take on Everton on Monday night, will be the trio of midfielders picked in Leeds United’s engine room.
Having lost Josuha Guilavogui and Joe Rothwell at the end of last season, Leeds needed numbers in the middle. They have sorted that position, splashing a combined £34.9m on Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach.
Longstaff adds something that the other four lack, which is Premier League experience. Stach, Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev have never played in the Premier League, while Ethan Ampadu has only played 26 matches.
Longstaff boasts a huge 171 top-flight outings, though the £15m addition from Newcastle has been a bit underwhelming in pre-season. Stach, on the other hand, has been absolutely superb during pre-season.
Ao Tanaka pre-season with Leeds United
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
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Stach scored his first goal in Leeds colours on Saturday, a superb effort from the edge of the box against AC Milan. It almost cements Stach’s place in the starting line-up when Leeds take on Everton on the 18th.
Ethan Ampadu will almost certainly start, with Farke expected to use a 4-3-3 system. Ampadu sitting at the base of the midfield, and two eights alongside. Stach is one, but the other is yet to be decided.
Longstaff started against Villarreal, Tanaka against Milan. Gruev is up there in terms of minutes during pre-season and is trusted by Farke. But Tanaka told fans “I’m ready” on Instagram on Monday morning.
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Last season, Leeds dictated the ball. It allowed Tanaka to shine, receiving the ball and allowing his passing technique to shine. That will be completely different next season, with Leeds unable to control matches.
Leeds’ midfield will be in more battles, face more pressure and higher presses. Tanaka’s control of the ball will be put under pressure and Leeds chiefs are concerned about the Japan star’s lack of physicality.
Against a side like Everton under David Moyes, Farke is likely to go for physicality and experience and edge Tanaka into the side. Surely, Longstaff starts alongside Stach and Ampadu in midfield next Monday.