Anton Stach: Germany's loss is Leeds United's gain as international announcement made
Anton Stach has missed out on a spot in Germany's World Cup squad, despite the season he has had with Leeds United.
Daniel Farke deserves his plaudits for the campaign the Whites have had, but it would not have been possible without several of their summer additions.
Noah Okafor and Stach in particular have been the standouts for Leeds this season, though both have struggled with injuries.
The latter has been absent due to injury in recent weeks and will remain that way ahead of the final day encounter with West Ham.
However, Stach will also be absent from the World Cup after Germany announced their squad.
Stats demonstrate how Anton Stach has been robbed
Aside from his goals and assists, of which he has eight in the Premier League, Stach has excelled in several areas of his game.
The German has created 62 chances from midfield, which is the fourth most in the top flight behind Enzo Fernandez, Dominik Szoboszlai and Bruno Fernandes, with the latter in a world of his own with 132.
| Premier League 25-26 | Stach | PL ranking |
| Big chances created | 9 | Top 7.5% |
| Successful dribbles | 20 | Top 11.2% |
| Duels won | 155 | Top 15% |
| Tackles | 65 | Top 20% |
| Defensive contributions | 265 | Top 23.6% |
However, his game goes far beyond what he offers in the final third, with Stach having also won 65 tackles, with a total of 265 defensive contributions, both of which place him among the top 24 per cent of Premier League midfielders.
Stach has been vital at both ends of the pitch for Leeds this season, and his set-piece delivery has been just as key.
Quite frankly, there's little more he could have done this season to warrant a place in Germany's squad, though that will benefit Leeds.
Stach omission can benefit Leeds United
The Leeds midfielder is currently out injured, though his return has already been pencilled in for a few weeks.
Had he been called up, he would have been thrown immediately into one of the most competitive competitions in football, which may well have aggravated any ongoing injury concerns.
Instead, Stach will have weeks to recover fully before joining up with Leeds for pre-season ahead of what many will hope will be just as successful a campaign in the Premier League.