TBR View: Wednesday display suggests Bielsa is not getting best out of Leeds star

Add as preferred source on Google

Robin Koch starred in the middle of three-man Germany defence on Wednesday night as he helped his country secure their first clean sheet in seven internationals – and Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa needs to take note.

Koch, 24, has impressed at Leeds since joining the club from German Bundesliga side Freiburg in the summer. The five-time Germany international has played in all eight league games for Leeds, becoming first choice.

But in the last two games, Koch has been to blame for a number of goals. His short back pass allowed Jamie Vardy to square for Harvey Barnes against Leicester, while Koch made mistakes for two of Crystal Palace’s goals last time out.

Scott Dann won a header against Koch, while Koch also conceded a free-kick that saw Eberechi Eze find the top corner. However, he looked a level above on Wednesday, compared to his displays against Palace and Leicester.

A main difference is that Koch played in a back three for Germany, but alongside Liam Cooper in a back four for Leeds. With Jonathan Tah and Antonio Rudiger alongside him, he looked accomplished on Wednesday night.

Leeds have used a back three with Koch this season, keeping a clean sheet against Sheffield United and only conceding to Wolves after a luck deflection. In a four-man defence with Koch, Leeds have conceded 16 in six games.

So, surely Marcelo Bielsa needs to consider reverting to a back three and partnering Koch with Liam Cooper one side and perhaps Luke Ayling on the other – or Diego Llorente when the Spaniard returns from an injury.

Bielsa needs to take a look at Koch’s performance for Germany on Wednesday night, and apply the same system at Leeds in order to shore up the defence and get the best out of Koch.