Leeds United

3 Robin Koch replacements Leeds United should consider amid exit talk

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Leeds United defender Robin Koch has reportedly begun assessing his long-term future amid recent German national team call-up snubs.

Koch’s deal is due to expire in June 2024, meaning he is now into the final 18 months of his deal at Elland Road.

The German international is said to be weighing up his future with the club as relegation fears continue to grow. German outlet Sport1 are claiming that the defender could leave to pursue a better opportunity.

They claim that there is interest from the Bundesliga, Newcastle United, and other unnamed Premier League clubs have also been cited as keen.

Here, we take a look at THREE replacements for the central defender should he depart the club in the summer.

Jean-Clair Todibo

Koch is a decent defender in his own right, but can’t hold a candle to a player of the quality of Todibo.

It would be a big upgrade for Leeds. Todibo is very mobile and Leeds’ current defensive options lack pace and athleticism throughout the back four. Recovery speed is something the club could do with in their defence in order to play a higher line.

Not only would Todibo be one of the quickest defenders at the club if he signed, but also one of the best players at the club in general. He would present a sizeable upgrade on all of Leeds’ central defenders in terms of what he is capable of in possession, too. The 23-year-old would be expensive but affordable.

Quiz: 20 statements about Leeds United's Robin Koch - Are they true or false?

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Robin Koch's career began with Bayern Munich.

Konstantinos Mavropanos

Like Todibo, Mavropanos would be an upgrade at right-centre-back for Leeds. Primarily for his dominance aerially and speed when defending backwards.

He is a little older but at 25 there still time for him to grow and develop. The club’s policy of late has been players with potential resale value, and he should have that if impresses in the Premier League.

Not as good in possession as Todibo, he is still a fairly comfortable player with the ball and playing out of a press. Mavropanos is a product of Arsenal’s academy but currently plays for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.

Charlie Cresswell

If Leeds were to be relegated, then a fire sale would ensue which would surely include the likes of Koch.

In that scenario Leeds may wish to save money for other more pressing positions and use the resources at their disposal in the form of Cresswell. The centre-back is currently enjoying his first full season of regular senior football with Millwall and could be an option to replace the German from within the club.

The experience of Championship football should stand him in good stead to continue his development with Leeds next season at that level, if they find themselves dropping a division. The 20-year-old is perhaps already ready for a step up anyway.

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  • Barry Butteree says:

    Talking of a fire sale in event of relegation what the hell are they thinking only 30 million for Meslier we should be asking well over 100 million. It is always the same shit does anybody really think we could buy Kalvin Phillips for 50 million or Raphinha for 55 mil. We Lway sell for peanuts and buy well over player value

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