The Rise of Anton Stach: Drawing Parallels with Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes

Anton Stach presents himself as a humble figure in conversation, yet his social media profile tells a different story. Since joining Leeds the previous summer, he has been the subject of numerous memes, often poking fun at himself and his teammates. Finding a balance between the lighthearted and serious aspects of football is crucial for Leeds as they navigate their final eight games, aiming to accumulate enough points to remain in the Premier League. The team, under Daniel Farke, has not secured a win in their last five league games, marking their longest winless streak this season, with only two victories in 13 games since Christmas. However, in the matches where they have earned points, such as draws against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and Everton, Stach has been instrumental. His specialized involvement has led to comparisons with Manchester United's playmaker Bruno Fernandes. Stach and Fernandes are tied for creating the most chances from set plays in the Premier League this season, with 27 each. Leeds has benefited significantly from this, with a higher proportion of their league goals scored from set pieces than any other team. Stach has personally contributed to four of these goals. Speaking from Leeds' Thorp Arch training ground, Stach expressed his admiration for Fernandes, stating, 'It's great to be in the same league as him because he's an amazing player. To get the right delivery and the right spot, we work on this a lot.' Stach's aim is excellent, and he has the perfect target in Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has generated the fifth-highest xG value from set plays in the league this campaign. Stach emphasized the importance of a player's movement, saying, 'It's also about a player's movement, when you have a good delivery you need players running inside the box to score, otherwise you can't create the chance. This is what you can't forget.' He added, 'I practice corners and free-kicks and we work together to get the right automatism.' Stach's expected assists tally from dead ball situations is only surpassed by three players, including Fernandes, Declan Rice, and James Garner. However, the 27-year-old is more than just a set-play specialist. His physicality and aggression are key to Farke's playing style, with the foundation of the Leeds team built around the stability of their midfield trio. Stach is tasked with recovering the ball high up the pitch, a task he completes almost as efficiently as any other player. Only Bukayo Saka has won possession more times in the attacking third than Stach's 21, allowing his teammates to swarm and press in dangerous areas. Stach embodies the best qualities of this battling Leeds team, being clinical at set pieces, a hard runner, and eager to tackle and dominate duels. He controls the tempo, serving as Leeds' chief courier of passes into the final third and most accurate crosser of the ball. The mood within the team is very good, according to Stach, who believes it's essential to maintain a balance between the funny and competitive sides. He emphasized the need to 'stay calm' but also be 'so on it' for the upcoming match against Brentford. With Leeds having failed to score in three consecutive league games, a lift is certainly needed, and perhaps something reminiscent of Fernandes from Stach can be the catalyst.