Leeds United midfielder Anton Stach has established himself as the most efficient free-kick taker in Premier League history. The Germany international's remarkable 40% conversion rate from ten attempts since joining the club last year sets a new benchmark since Opta began tracking the data in 2003.
This analysis comes as Leeds sit ninth in the Premier League with three points from their opening match. Stach's latest set-piece secured a dramatic opening-day win at Nottingham Forest, contributing to the team's perfect start of one win, zero draws, and zero losses.
Anton Stach's four Premier League free-kick goals put him level with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai for the current campaign. The comparison becomes stark when examining volume. Szoboszlai needed 27 attempts to score his four goals. The previously acknowledged master, James Ward-Prowse, has taken 141 shots for his Premier League free-kick goals, working out to a 12% strike rate. David Beckham holds the overall record with 18 goals, but no one with a comparable number of attempts matches Stach's efficiency.
His first for Leeds was a whipped effort from a central area in a 3-1 victory over Wolves. He then scored a stoppage-time winner against Crystal Palace, where goalkeeper Dean Henderson remained rooted. A long-range strike that deceived Aston Villa's Emi Martinez at the near post followed. The latest, against Forest, saw Matz Sels palm the ball into his own net from the corner of the penalty area.
The 27-year-old defensive midfielder generates impressive ball speed with clean contact. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, he primarily uses inside spin on the ball, mixing in forward spin to make the ball dip sharply. This combination of power and movement mirrors the technique of Juninho Pernambucano, widely considered the greatest free-kick specialist ever.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke, who signed Stach from Hoffenheim for £17.4 million, acknowledges the unique style. "Anton is perhaps not as beautiful on the eye like Juninho’s free-kicks, but b****y effective, and I quite like it," Farke said. Specialist coach Bartek Sylwestrzak sees room for growth, stating, "Stach is decent, but there is a lot of potential for him to get even better."
Stach's prolific form is a dramatic departure from his career before Leeds. During four seasons in the Bundesliga, split between his former club and Hoffenheim, he failed to score a single free-kick. In fact, at Hoffenheim, he only attempted one shot directly from a free-kick situation. His transformation is built on dedicated practice, often staying behind after training sessions, sometimes with assistant coach Edmund Riemer.
Stach's dead-ball prowess provides a critical weapon for a Leeds side looking to build on their positive start. Maintaining this form will be important as the squad manages absences, with Willy Gnonto, Mateo Joseph, Ilia Gruev, and Giorgi Gudmundsson currently sidelined.
With one goal scored and none conceded so far, set-piece reliability could define Leeds's season. Stach's ability to convert chances from unlikely areas offers a consistent threat, turning defensive fouls into scoring opportunities. His continued development under Farke's guidance will be key as the campaign progresses.
