MOT View: Exciting int’l centre-back can help Leeds over messy break-up with Ben White
Leeds United have failed to bring Ben White back to Elland Road.
Brighton proved tough salesmen and have now reportedly set their asking price at £55million.
Leeds final bid was £25m and that’s been rejected so Leeds are moving on.
One target that keeps appearing is Freiburg’s, Robin Koch. The Telegraph reported first that the German international is seen as an alternative White at Elland Road.
The 24-year-old has earned two Germany caps in his career and was a key figure in Freiburg’s last Bundesliga campaign.
Koch could be available for as little as £10.8m and some would consider that a bargain compared to the monster fee being demanded for White.
But what would Leeds be getting? let’s take a closer look…
Where are his strengths?
The Freiburg enforcer has all the traits needed to succeed at Elland Road. He is good on the ball and can read the game so well – it allows him to intercept possession rather than be forced into areas where he needs to tackle.
He can play in both midfield and defence too. Take this interception for example – breaking up play in the heart of the pitch while covering key spaces.
Koch averages an impressive 4.58 interceptions per 90 minutes according to WyScout, as well as winning over 65% of his defensive duels.
Looking at the stats of White, he compares very similarly. The Brighton youngster averaged 4.8 interceptions and he won 69% of his duels.
Let’s not forget that Koch was doing it against some of the world’s best clubs including Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Marcelo Bielsa likes his defence to be as comfortable on the ball as his midfielders, and that allows his side to launch attacks from any area of the pitch.
The switch of play has become a real weapon for Leeds, and Koch is no stranger to picking out a pass. The 24-year-old averages almost six long-range passes per 90 minutes, and can turn defence into attack with one ball.
In this example, you can see the defender has pushed into the heart of midfield and with one pass, he sets away Freiburg’s left-winger.
Against the high press of Monchengladbach, Koch was able to turn their midfield round with one pass and that could be vital in the Premier League against the likes of Liverpool.
Koch has very similar stats compared to White, and these examples should prove that Leeds would be much better suited to saving upwards of £30million and moving for the German.
In other Leeds United news, MOT Super Fans react to the reported pursuit of this Premier League forward