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How Leeds United's very own Elliot Anderson can take Stach's place

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Published Oct 6, 2026, 8:10 AM GMT+1

Daniel is an experienced football writer and editor with more than a decade of experience covering the professional game, specialising in the Championship, Football League and Scottish football, alongside in-depth coverage of Norwich City, Celtic and Rangers.

A journalist since 2015, Daniel began his career writing for Fresh Press before progressing into a full-time writing and editing role, producing club-focused coverage for Read Norwich, Read Celtic, Read Liverpool and Read Arsenal. He later spent almost a year with Liverpool-based outlet Anfield Watch, where his work included conducting and transcribing interviews with figures including Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg, former Wycombe striker Adebayo Akinfenwa and journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Daniel has worked with Snack Media (now Valnet) since 2021, contributing to Football FanCast as both a writer and editor. His work focuses particularly on player analysis, transfer insight and original football features, combining detailed knowledge of the game with research-driven assessment of players, clubs and potential moves.

His specialist knowledge of Norwich City and the Football League has also seen him contribute to BBC Norfolk and assist DAZN with research for commentary broadcasts. As a Norwich City season-ticket holder, Daniel brings a level of first-hand knowledge of the club and its players that complements his wider expertise across the Championship and EFL. His Norwich coverage has also featured in publications including the Coventry Telegraph and Liverpool Echo.

Alongside his Football League expertise, Daniel has covered Celtic and Rangers extensively, developing a strong understanding of Scottish football. His work gives readers informed transfer assessment, detailed player analysis and authoritative insight into clubs and competitions he has spent years following and reporting on.

Leeds United hit the jackpot last year when they swooped to sign central midfielder Anton Stach from German side Hoffenheim for a fee of around £17.4m.

The Whites took a risk on the 6 foot 4 star because he had never played in England before arriving at Elland Road, but it was a risk that ultimately paid off for the club.

In his first season in the Premier League, the Germany international delivered five goals and three assists in 34 appearances for Daniel Farke's side, showcasing his attacking quality in the division.

Unfortunately, though, the 27-year-old star has endured a difficult start to the 2026/27 campaign and is yet to show the same level that he displayed last term.

Why Anton Stach has been underwhelming this season

Stach started the campaign in impressive fashion when he scored a late free-kick away at Nottingham Forest to win the game on the opening day of the season for Leeds.

The German giant has failed to score a goal or create any 'big chances' for his teammates in the subsequent six matches in all competitions, though, and his lack of contributions in the final third has been coupled with too many sloppy moments on the ball.

So far this season, the former Bundesliga talent has lost possession 92 times without creating a 'big chance' for the Whites in the Premier League, losing the ball 18.4 times per game on average.

Stach (Premier League)

25/26

26/27

Appearances	29	5
xG	2.92	0.97
Goals	5	1
Key passes per game	2.2	1.2
Big chances created	9
Assists	3
Pass accuracy	77%	69%
Possession lost per game	14.3	18.4

Stach has been underwhelming in the top-flight this term because he has been far more loose with the ball, giving away possession more frequently, and has not provided enough quality to make up for his lapses in concentration.

His struggles in general play mean that his position in the team, certainly in the long-term if his form does not turn around, could be called into question.

Leeds are already brewing their successor to Anton Stach

Thankfully, for Farke, Leeds may already have their long-term successor to Stach in the central midfield role, and he is currently going through a development phase that could see him follow in the footsteps of Premier League star Elliot Anderson.

Everyone in English football knows Anderson as the £116m-rated Manchester City defensive midfielder who starts almost every game for England, but his first breakthrough at senior level came playing as an attacking player on loan at Bristol Rovers in League Two.

He scored seven goals and provided six assists in 21 matches for the Gas on loan from Newcastle United in the 2021/22 campaign, before he went on to star for the Magpies, Nottingham Forest, and, now, Manchester City.

Anderson developed the technical side of his game by playing further forward at a lower level before returning to play in a deep-lying midfield position, and Leeds academy graduate Sam Chambers could follow down the same path.

The Scottish youngster is currently out on loan at Northampton Town in League Two for the 2026/27 campaign, and has been utilised as a winger in both of his starts in the division so far this season.

At academy level, though, the 19-year-old typically played as an attacking or central midfielder, like Stach does in the first-team, which shows that he is going through the same phase that Anderson went through when he went to League Two.

26/27 League Two

Sam Chambers

Rank vs wingers

Successful dribbles	1.88	Top 8%
Dribble success rate	100%	Top 1%
Long pass accuracy	66.7%	Top 5%
Duels won	7.50	Top 19%
Duel success rate	52.2%	Top 48%
Tackles won	3.13	Top 13%
Aerial duels won	1.88	Top 46%

Despite playing as a winger, Chambers has mostly excelled in areas that you would expect a central midfielder to excel in; winning duels, making tackles, playing long-range passes.

The Scotland U21 international, who made his senior debut against Plymouth in 2024, is currently honing his central midfield skills at senior level, whilst playing in a more attacking position where he can afford to make mistakes.

Anderson's development was aided by going through a similar process as a teenager at Bristol Rovers in League Two, and Chambers has already shown that he has the makings of a combative and technically impressive midfield talent in his first three outings this term.

Leeds have their own version of the Manchester City and England superstar brewing out on loan, and it is down to the club to handle the next steps after this season correctly to ensure that he fulfills his potential.

If Chambers returns to Elland Road next year and kicks on as a central midfielder as a result of his experiences as a forward out on loan, Stach could be the one in danger of losing his place because of his struggles in the Premier League recently.

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