🔵⚪ Leeds United’s Midfield Dilemma: Noah Sadiki, Anton Stach & The Evolution of a Promotion Push
After missing out on the signature of Habib Diarra to Sunderland, Leeds United are now being forced to pivot in the transfer market. While the club has multiple positions still needing reinforcements, the midfield has emerged as a priority area — and two names in particular have surfaced as the frontrunners: Noah Sadiki of Union Saint-Gilloise and Anton Stach of Hoffenheim.
These two players represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of profile, experience, and stylistic fit, yet both are being actively pursued. The choice Leeds face is not just between two midfielders — it’s a crossroads that reflects their overall squad-building strategy under Daniel Farke and the board. Do they opt for future potential and versatility, or go all-in on ready-made power and physical dominance?
To understand Leeds’ current dilemma and direction, we must examine what’s already taken place this summer — and what that tells us about their priorities.
🏗️ The Shape of a Squad Being Rebuilt
Leeds United are wasting no time this summer. After the heartbreak of falling short in the playoffs and spending a year in the Championship, the pressure is on to return to the Premier League — and stay there.
That sense of urgency is evident in their transfer business. Reports suggest three deals are all but complete:
Lukas Nmecha – An experienced, versatile forward who brings pace and strength.
Jaka Bijol – A 6’2″ Slovenian defender with leadership qualities and Serie A pedigree.
Sebastiaan Bornauw – A powerful Belgian centre-back from Wolfsburg with Bundesliga experience.
All three are aged 26 or older, and all exceed 6 feet in height. There’s a clear theme here: Leeds are not just recruiting quality; they’re targeting experienced, physically commanding players with European top-flight experience.
This is a calculated shift from previous windows where younger, technical talents were prioritized. It reflects a desire to not just succeed in the Championship but to build a team with Premier League survivability. Power, size, experience — these are now non-negotiables.
With the defence and attack being reshaped along those lines, the midfield becomes the next logical area of focus — and that brings us to two radically different targets.
🟡 Noah Sadiki – A High-Ceiling Gamble
📌 Quick Profile:
Age: 20
Club: Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium)
Position: Central Midfield / Defensive Midfield
Height: ~5’10”
Valuation: Leeds reportedly tabled an £8.5m bid
Key Traits: Technical skill, agility, energy, composure
Noah Sadiki is one of the brightest young talents in the Belgian Pro League. Coming off a season with Union Saint-Gilloise, the 20-year-old has emerged as a modern, press-resistant central midfielder with the engine to play multiple roles. He’s tactically intelligent, boasts strong athleticism, and has the versatility to operate as a right-back or deeper-lying playmaker if needed.
For Leeds, Sadiki represents a high-upside developmental signing. He’s the type of player who could grow into a Premier League-quality starter under the right guidance — but he’s not the finished article yet. Physically, he doesn’t align with the club’s recent profile. At under 5’11”, he isn’t built to dominate aerially or win second balls. However, his low centre of gravity and technical agility make him effective in tight spaces and in transition.
The major complication? Leeds are not the only suitors. Eintracht Frankfurt, fresh off a top-three finish in the Bundesliga and headed for the UEFA Champions League, have entered the race. According to reports from The Athletic’s David Ornstein and Bundesliga expert Seb Stafford-Bloor, Frankfurt have already held preliminary talks with the player, although no agreement is yet in place with Union SG.
Leeds’ ability to beat out Champions League-level competition could come down to playing time guarantees and project clarity. But if Sadiki’s ambitions lean toward elite-level football immediately, it may be difficult for Leeds to compete.
Still, if they can pull it off, Sadiki would be a coup — a blend of technical finesse, tactical intelligence, and long-term value.
🟣 Anton Stach – The Premier League-Ready Enforcer?
📌 Quick Profile:
Age: 25
Club: Hoffenheim (Germany)
Position: Central Midfield
Height: 6’4”
Contract Status: 2 years remaining
Key Traits: Power, aerial dominance, physical duels, leadership
In contrast to Sadiki, Anton Stach ticks virtually every box that Leeds’ new transfer strategy appears to prioritize. Standing at 6’4”, Stach is a towering midfielder who doesn’t shy away from physical battles. He’s spent the last several years honing his skills in the Bundesliga and has also featured for the German national team.
Unlike Sadiki, Stach is ready to step into a high-intensity league and immediately influence the game. He offers steel, structure, and height — all attributes Leeds badly need in central areas. While players like Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka offer technical ability, positional discipline, and energy, they lack the size and physicality to consistently dominate in a league known for second-ball battles and set-piece chaos.
Stach, on the other hand, gives Leeds the option to control matches through imposing presence, especially when games get scrappy — which happens often in the Championship.
And here’s the crucial detail: he’s available. With two years left on his deal and Hoffenheim reportedly open to negotiation, Leeds could secure him without breaking the bank. His profile fits Farke’s 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 setups perfectly, whether in a double pivot or a more advanced box-to-box role.
Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post has confirmed Leeds’ interest in the German midfielder, further legitimising the pursuit.
If Leeds want to win now — and create a midfield core built for promotion — Stach is arguably the ideal signing.
⚔️ Sadiki vs. Stach: Two Pathways for Leeds
To properly assess which player Leeds should prioritize, let’s look at a side-by-side comparison:
Attribute Noah Sadiki Anton Stach
Age 20 25
Height ~5’10” 6’4”
Experience Belgian Pro League Bundesliga, German NT
Style Technical, agile, progressive Physical, aerial, combative
Value £8.5m bid reported Possibly available for similar or less
Suitability Developmental, versatile Ready-made, dominant
Competition Eintracht Frankfurt Minimal reported
Strategically, Sadiki represents investment in long-term growth, whereas Stach is a solution for immediate success. Both paths are valid — but they serve different timelines.
🧠 Squad Building Philosophy: What Do Leeds Want To Be?
The Sadiki vs. Stach dilemma shines a light on a broader philosophical question: What kind of team do Leeds United want to be?
If they aim to dominate through possession, fluid movement, and high-tempo pressing, Sadiki is the ideal project. He offers a skill set that could eventually rival top-tier European midfielders.
But if they’re intent on bullying opponents physically, winning duels, and controlling space through force, then Stach is the smart, pragmatic choice. He fits perfectly with the team’s apparent shift toward stature, maturity, and Premier League resilience.
Given the incoming signings — Nmecha, Bijol, Bornauw — the writing seems on the wall. Leeds are building a physically dominant side, perhaps learning from the mistakes of last season where they were out-muscled in key games.
That doesn’t mean there’s no room for technical players. But right now, the balance seems to be tipping in favour of strength and readiness.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Who Should Leeds Choose?
The ideal scenario? Leeds sign both — Stach to deliver now, and Sadiki to grow into the next midfield star. That would represent smart squad planning and depth for a 46-game grind.
However, if the club has to choose just one, the safe bet is Anton Stach. He aligns with the direction of the team, fills an urgent tactical need, and can lead from the front in a promotion charge.
That said, if Leeds have the ambition — and financial muscle — to beat out Frankfurt and sign Sadiki, they may just land a player who could shape their midfield for a decade.
This is more than just a transfer battle. It’s a litmus test for where Leeds United are — and where they’re going.