After Leeds United’s promotion back to the Premier League, it was crucial that the 49ers backed Daniel Farke to fend off any threat of relegation back to the Championship.
He was handed £90m worth of funds to make the signings he desired, which many supporters thought was not enough to beat the drop in England’s top flight.
His decision to switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation back in December allowed the Whites to reach their full potential and ended the recent campaign in 14th place.
One player in particular has proved to be worth every penny of his transfer fee, with the hierarchy needing to emulate such business if they are to reach the next level in 2026/27.
Why Stach was Leeds’ best signing last summer
As part of last summer’s recruitment drive, Leeds completed the £18m signing of midfielder Anton Stach, with very few supporters aware of the talent he possessed.
The German international featured 29 times in the Premier League last term, and often was one of Farke’s leading operators throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
He was arguably the Whites’ most creative outlet in England’s top-flight last campaign, subsequently registering 2.4 chances created per 90 – the most of any player in the senior ranks.
The 27-year-old completed 1.7 successful crosses per 90, also the highest tally in the squad, which often saw the German take the majority of the club’s set-pieces.
|
Anton Stach – PL stats (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
29 |
|
Goals & assists |
8 |
|
Shots taken |
2.1 |
|
Aerials won |
62% |
|
Defensive contributions |
10.1 |
|
Chances created |
2.4 |
|
Duels won |
5.9 |
|
Tackles made |
2.5 |
Stach’s efforts in forward areas were further reflected by his tally of eight combined goals and assists – the third-highest tally of any player in the senior ranks.
Even without the ball, the £18m man managed to catch the eye – subsequently winning the most tackles and most aerial duels per 90 of any player in Farke’s squad.
Such a deal to sign him last summer now looks to be a phenomenal piece of business, with the 49ers needing to emulate such moves in the last month of the window.
How Leeds can secure their best signing since Stach
Despite already signing Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemovic and agreeing a deal to sign James Trafford – Leeds have shown no signs of slowing down their efforts in the market.
Burnley striker Zian Flemming has emerged as one option for the Whites in recent days, with the Dutch star pushing for a return back to the Premier League after relegation last term.
However, he’s not the only player currently on the club’s shortlist, with Lyon midfielder Pavel Šulc another talent who could make a move to Elland Road before the window closes.
It’s been reported by by The Daily Mirror that Farke’s men have reached out to the Ligue 1 outfit to gain more information on a potential deal for the Czech Republic international.
They also claim Aston Villa and Everton have made similar attempts for his signature, with boss Paulo Fonseca refusing to shut down rumours linking the 25-year-old with a move away.
Other reports have fuelled the fire over a possible switch for the Lyon star, claiming that an offer in the region of £20m would be needed for a sale to be entertained.
Like Stach, many supporters will be unfamiliar with Sulc’s talents, but it’s safe to say he has all the tools needed to emulate the German’s success at Elland Road.
His stats from his recent season in Ligue 1 demonstrate his quality, which could see him star in either a deeper or more advanced central midfield role.
The 25-year-old ended the 2025/26 campaign with 14 goals and seven assists across all competitions – a tally which was higher than any player who featured in Yorkshire last season.
He also managed to create 1.3 chances per 90 in Ligue 1 last term, 0.6 of which were defined as big chances – emulating Stach in being able to provide the goods within forward areas.
Such a tally ranks Sulc in the top 15% of all players in Europe’s top-five leagues – which could take the pressure off the German to be the man to offer a creative outlet in the final third.
Sulc also managed to complete 47% of his attempted dribbles, subsequently highlighting his ability to glide past the opposition before putting the finishing touches onto his mazy runs.
Even without the ball, the Czech international has proven to be a valuable option – subsequently making 1.4 tackles per 90 and regaining possession 0.56 times per 90 in the final third.
His all-round skillset with and without the ball will no doubt have caught the eye of Farke, with the Leeds boss a huge fan of players who work tirelessly without the ball.
£20m in today’s market would be a superb piece of business for a player who has constantly showcased his ability to thrive in Europe’s top-five leagues.
Should he get anywhere near the levels produced by Stach in Yorkshire, it would be another bargain deal and one which could offer the difference between finishing mid-table or top half.
