Why Leeds United must sign Robin Koch this summer

According to The Telegraph, newly-promoted Premier League side Leeds United are eyeing SC Freiburg defender Robin Koch as a potential alternative for priority transfer target Ben White.

White, who had a loan spell last time out at Leeds, is being eyed by the Whites once again. However, Brighton & Hove Albion have made it clear that the 22-year-old will not be sold, having already rejected two bids from Marcelo Bielsa’s side. (h/t BBC)

This has seemingly forced the Whites to look at alternatives, with 24-year-old German defender Robin Koch emerging as an option. (h/t The Telegraph)

Profile

Born in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Koch started out at the academy of his hometown club 1.FC Kaiserslautern, before switching to the SV Dorbach youth setup where he spent six years. In 2009, he signed for Eintracht Trier, where he rose through the ranks and made 25 senior appearances, before returning to Kaiserslautern in 2015.

The versatile defender spent two years at the club, making 28 first-team appearances before SC Freiburg came calling in the summer of 2017. In his three years at the club, Koch has featured 87 times in all competitions, bagging five goals and two assists. He has also made two appearances for the German national team, having made his debut in October last year.

Leeds’ need for defensive reinforcements

Marcelo Bielsa masterminded a fine 2019/20 campaign, as Leeds won the EFL Championship to make their way back to the Premier League after 16 years. The Whites must now bolster their ranks if they are to do well upon their return to the top-flight.

Defence is one area where the club is in need of reinforcements. Leeds conceded just 35 goals in 46 games in the Championship last season. However, only Liam Cooper is available now from their defensive core from the season gone by.

Ben White, who was such an integral member of the side, has returned to parent club Brighton with his loan deal expired. Gaetano Berardi, on the other hand, is sidelined for nine months with an ACL injury. With his contract nearing expiry, he may have played his final game for the Whites.

While youngster Pascal Struijk is an option at the heart of the defence, Bielsa & co. need someone with more experience for them to successfully navigate their first season back in the Premier League. Robin Koch, to that end, would be a viable option.

The 24-year-old was a vital member of the Freiburg side that finished eighth in the 2019/20 Bundesliga season. He missed just two of their 34 Bundesliga matches, helping them to seven clean sheets, while contributing with a goal as well. (h/t Transfermarkt)

The fact that he broke into the German national team last year is an indicator of the form that he had been in this past season.

His signing would help Leeds plug the gap in their defence and provide some much-needed depth in the centre-back department. In addition, his ability to play as a defensive midfielder would also come in very handy for the manager.

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Verdict

It goes without saying that Leeds United are in dire need of options in central defence. And Koch would be a worthy candidate to help them on their return to the Premier League. The German international is a star on the rise and can develop under the guidance of a coach like Bielsa. His addition would also serve to improve the overall quality of the Whites squad.