Anton Stach joins Kalvin Phillips in record books after Leeds United vs Wolves, not seen in years
Anton Stach was the star of the show yet again for Leeds United against Wolves on Saturday.
Goals had been an issue for the Yorkshire outfit, with Football Insider revealing that Leeds are targeting a wide attacker rather than a striker to add more creativity in January.
Sources told Football Insider that Fulham winger Harry Wilson is open to a move to Leeds as Daniel Farke looks to bolster his attacking options.
Leeds are monitoring Man City’s Nico O’Reilly to strengthen their defence, but it was current midfielder Stach who grabbed the headlines against Wolves.
The German star smashed in a beautiful free-kick as Leeds battled to a huge 3-1 win at Molineux, doing something not seen in the Premier League since Kalvin Phillips in 2021.
Anton Stach free-kick replicates Kalvin Phillips history at Leeds
The German wowed the travelling Peacocks fans with an emphatic free-kick in the 39th minute to put the Yorkshire outfit into the lead.
The number 18’s dazzling effort was too quick for Jose Sa as it hurtled into the top-right corner despite the Portuguese keeper standing on the correct side of the goal in anticipation.
OptaJoe on X (20 September) highlighted that Stach became the first player to score his first-ever Premier League goal from a direct free-kick since ex-Whites fan favourite Phillips replicated the same feat against West Brom in May 2021.
Anton Stach is Leeds United’s best business
Signed from Hoffenheim in the summer for £17million (BBC Sport), the Germany international is rocketing his way to becoming the darling of Elland Road.
The 26-year-old has featured in every Premier League match this season and has been one of the standouts in what has been a turbulent return to the English top-flight.
The number 18’s endurance and strength have given him a significant advantage to boss the midfield, and he is one of Farke’s first names on the teamsheet.
| Anton Stach Hoffenheim 2024-25 all competitions | |
| Appearances | 39 |
| Minutes played | 3,387 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 2 |
Moreover, the six-foot-four powerhouse will be keeping a keen eye on getting on the plane for the 2026 World Cup, adding an assist for Noah Okafor’s goal, too.
Julian Nagelsmann will be working out who he wants to run the middle of the park on the global stage, and Stach will certainly be in contention.
The move to Leeds has already proved fruitful for him, and if he can consistently perform at a high level, there is no doubt he can force his way into the Germany squad.