Leeds United sold one of Marcelo Bielsa’s former players during the January transfer window and he could feature for his country for the first time in three years during the March international break.
No wonder the former Elland Road ace feels that his decision to leave the Championship table-toppers – first on loan and then via a permanent transfer – has been justified.
The good news, at least, is that Daniel Farke’s title-chasing Leeds United side are not exactly missing the defensive talents of Robin Koch. Whether it’s Liam Cooper or Pascal Struijk, Ethan Ampadu or Joe Rodon, Leeds’ backline has been remarkably watertight since the turn of the year. The Yorkshire giants have the best defensive record in the division.
Even more impressively, they have not conceded a goal from open play since the New Years’ fireworks lit up the night sky.
Leeds United are flying without Robin Koch
As such, Koch’s career revival back in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt is not quite the painful viewing it might have been had Farke’s side been unable to claw back that 17-point deficit between themselves and Leicester City.
Koch, who joined Leeds for £12 million back in 2021 but departs for a fraction of that fee, has been rewarded for his stellar campaign with a place in Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany squad ahead of this summer’s European Championships on home soil.
And, given that a place at Euro 2024 was the main driving force behind Koch’s decision to embark on a fresh start following Leeds’ relegation from the Premier League last year.
“The topic of the national team played a role in my decision (to leave Elland Road),” Koch now tells Sport BILD. “And it’s very nice that it turned out that way.”
First Germany call-up since 2021 for Frnakfurt ace
Koch, who has captained Frankfurt in both the Bundesliga and in the Europa League this season, is keen to take on a leadership role in Nagelsmann’s squad too, with six new faces in a squad relatively light on international experience in a number of areas.
“I don’t have to hide,” Koch adds. “I resolve every day to be a leader and give it my all. (And) I can and want to bring exactly this attitude, this mentality, my game structure and my strength in duels to the national team.”
HITC Football, meanwhile, understands that Leeds are keen to sign Rodon on a permanent basis following a fine spell on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. The London giants paid £11 million to sign the Welsh colossus from Swansea City in 2020.
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