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German journalist shares future claim on Robin Koch after Leeds United loan exit
Robin Koch could become Eintracht Frankfurt captain with “a lot of evidence” suggesting he will depart Leeds United for the German club this summer, according to Christopher Michel.
In an interview with Leeds Live (20 October), the Sport1 reporter noted that Koch has excelled on his loan spell in the Bundesliga and is “very comfortable” in Frankfurt.
Koch’s Elland Road contract expires at the end of this season, with Michel suggesting the German club should find a solution to keeping him at the club.
Michel said: “I expected a lot from Robin Koch, but he has surpassed that. Koch is a good player and an even better guy. Humorous, clear in his statements, with a healthy self-confidence.
“He is the head of defence of Eintracht Frankfurt. Koch kept his word with that, he wanted to manage. It’s hard to imagine the team without him. Personally, I even see him as a player who can captain Eintracht Frankfurt in the future.
“Eintracht wants Robin Koch and Robin Koch feels very comfortable in Frankfurt. There is a lot of evidence pointing to a permanent transfer.
“His contract at Leeds United expires in the summer, then he is a ‘free agent’. Player and club should find a solution.”
Missed opportunity
After Leeds’ relegation, Koch was quick to find the exit door. As a player on the periphery of the German national side, Koch would have been keen to remain at a top-flight club to boost his chances of selection.
While understandable, Koch exercised a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave on loan for a season, meaning he’s slowly running his contract down in Germany. While good for Koch, Leeds look set to lose a huge chunk of cash from a potential sale of the 27-year-old.
Leeds perhaps should have been smarter with Koch’s contract and the previous leadership at the club will assume responsibility, but it’s frustrating nonetheless.
Koch, according to Michel, has been an “undisputed” performer for Frankfurt since his arrival, having played all minutes available in the Bundesliga. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann also has his eye on him, who has yet to be called up to the Nationalelf since 2021.
With such a switch in reputation, Leeds could have secured a good fee for the player which could have helped their summer business hugely, whether still in the Championship or back in the Premier League.
In other Leeds United news, a journalist has claimed a midfielder is unlikely to play against Norwich after his international match.