Koch return gives Leeds get major first-team fitness boost
Leeds United have been handed a huge fitness boost ahead of the Fulham game on Friday night after Robin Koch came through his Under-23s match unscathed on Monday.
Koch played the first 45 minutes of the game in the holding midfield role and put in a few crunching tackles that showed he’s back to full fitness and not lost any confidence.
Koch has been out since December when he injured his knee in the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea.
Leeds have particularly missed Koch as he was brought in to cover for Kalvin Phillips as well as play at centre-back.
Leeds have suffered with injuries at the back and have struggled to replace Phillips when he was out injured.
Flawless display
Koch was on the bench on Saturday but only because of Liam Cooper being struck down by illness.
Bielsa had said he wanted him to play in the under-23s first but he was so good today that we expect him to be on the bench again on Friday whether Cooper is back or not.
If Phillips were to miss the game we think Koch would go straight into the side in the holding midfield position.
With Ian Poveda, Gaetano Berardi and Jamie Shackleton also playing for the Under-23s, Leeds are almost back to full strength for the first time this season.
But it’s Koch that is the real difference-maker because of his versatility and command in the holding midfield role.
This is a major boost for Leeds and it means that Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk are going to have to perform to keep their places in the side.
Liam Cooper might even struggle to get back in the side now when he recovers.
You can watch a replay of Koch in the under-23s for Leeds on the club’s official YouTube channel.
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