Leeds United man's World Cup hopes suffer blow with national team boss's odd assessment

Stach has been a vital presence for Leeds this season, starting 22 of their Premier League games and scoring four goals. The summer 2025 signing from Hoffenheim has also added three assists and proved a serious threat from set-pieces. His popularity with Leeds fans has grown due to his prowess in open play, however, helping to break up opposition play and then creating chances with the ball.

In the four years prior to his Premier League move, Stach was ranked first in the Bundesliga for interceptions, third for the number of times he won possession and fourth for both tackles made and duels won. That combativeness has transferred to the English game. This season for Leeds, while creating 2.5 chances per 90 minutes, the giant midfielder has won 5.5 ground duels per game. In the air he has won nearly two thirds of his battles.

But his national team boss does not seem impressed with Stach's ability to compete in the air or on the ground. Speaking to German outlet Kicker, Nagelsmann said: "He’s doing well there, but he’s not exceptionally strong in the air and not a top ball-winner either. He’s also someone who prefers to have the game in front of him. In my view, his best position at Hoffenheim was the central role in a back three, from where he could drop into the No 6 position.”

Nagelsmann's somewhat odd view appears to fly in the face of what Stach has been doing for Daniel Farke at Leeds. Farke is largely employing Stach as an offensive-minded midfielder and taking advantage of his ability to cause problems for opposition defences. What's more, commentators in both Germany and England have been quick to compare Stach's numbers with national team regular Leon Goretzka. The Leeds man's data compares favourably, particularly in a defensive sense. Stach has more defensive recoveries, contests and wins more duels, makes more tackles and wins more aerial duels. He also creates more chances.

But Nagelsmann has also made clear that some of his decisions might be difficult for both players and club supporters to understand, because putting the squad together so it 'fits' is his priority.

"There will be decisions - I can already reveal that now - which probably will not meet with great understanding. Not from the player, but also not from the wider public. Because perhaps a player who is not planned to be in our starting XI is a regular starter and key performer at his club.”