Leeds United defender Robin Koch has taken a thinly veiled swipe at the Whites style of play in the Premier League. Leeds were known for their high pressing, full octane approach under legendary head coach Marcelo Bielsa, which carried on under his predecessor Jesse Marsch.
However, in the last two years of their Premier League stay, the Whites had the worst defensive record in the top flight, which was their undoing last season. Leeds were relegated to the Championship, finishing second bottom of the league having conceded the most goals in the division.
Koch would temporarily end his three-year stay at Elland Road to link-up with Eintracht Frankfurt on season-long loan where he’s enjoying his stay. The Bundesliga side have conceded the least amount of goals in the division, a far cry from the Leeds United record last season.
Speaking to Eintracht Frankfurt’s club podcast Eintracht vom Main, Koch has reiterated it wasn’t an easy decision to leave Leeds United this summer. Koch’s comments, which were relayed by SGE4ever.de, see him claim it’s a better defensive set-up in Germany, with the Whites former way of playing an extreme risk.
“At Leeds there was a lot of pressing and therefore extreme risk at the back. Of course, it’s more pleasant for a defender to keep a clean sheet or generally concede a few goals,” Koch told the podcast.
“We [Eintracht Frankfurt] don’t just defend with three people. It starts at the front. That’s why it’s important that the whole team gets involved.”