Leeds United midfielder Anton Stach has become one of the Premier League's most effective free-kick takers, a skill that was not anticipated when he joined the club. Despite not scoring a free-kick in four years in the Bundesliga, Stach has netted four league goals from direct free-kicks since his transfer to Leeds, matching Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai.
What sets Stach apart is his remarkable efficiency. He has scored from 40% of his free-kick attempts, taking only ten shots to achieve his four goals. This contrasts sharply with other specialists like Szoboszlai, who has taken 27 shots for his four goals, and James Ward-Prowse, who has a 12% conversion rate from 141 attempts.
Stach's free-kick prowess was evident during the team's pre-season tour, where his dead-ball abilities surprised club staff. His goals have included a late winner against Nottingham Forest, a stoppage-time curler against Crystal Palace, a long-range strike against Aston Villa, and an early goal against Wolves. Manager Daniel Farke has praised his effectiveness, noting that while Stach's free-kicks may not possess the aesthetic flair of legends like Juninho, they are highly impactful.
Specialist ball-striking coach Bartek Sylwestrzak attributes Stach's success to his clean contact with the ball, which results in good speed and the ability to strike from longer ranges. Sylwestrzak also notes Stach's capacity to impart topspin on the ball, a technique that helps it dip and catch goalkeepers off guard, similar to the approach of former free-kick master Juninho Pernambucano.
Stach frequently stays after training sessions to refine his technique, often practicing with assistant coach Edmund Riemer or by himself. This dedication to practice is helping him develop his skills further. His emergence comes at a time when direct free-kicks have seen a decline in popularity in the Premier League, with analytics and a focus on statistically higher-percentage chances leading teams to often opt against direct shots. However, Stach's effectiveness suggests the art of the direct free-kick may be experiencing a resurgence.