Leeds weigh midfield options without Anton Stach for Forest and Chelsea | OneFootball

Leeds United must navigate at least two matches without Anton Stach after Daniel Farke confirmed a hip problem will sideline the midfielder for 10-14 days, ruling him out of Nottingham Forest on Friday and Chelsea away next week.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Farke has several midfield configurations to cover the German’s absence.

Balanced trio: Sean Longstaff is the closest like-for-like, with the legs and experience to step in. After a calf injury against Aston Villa in November, he has two cameos and 45 minutes at Arsenal, so should be ready to start.

Ethan Ampadu can screen while Ao Tanaka links play, though wide passing options may be limited for Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson. If Brenden Aaronson drifts wide, Tanaka might need to join Dominic Calvert-Lewin to prevent isolation.

Solid base: for tougher opposition or away settings, such as Chelsea, Ilia Gruev could partner Ampadu to tighten midfield. He struggled against Arsenal but is usually reliable, with Tanaka ahead to connect lines and Facundo Buonanotte an option for extra creativity.

That shape can still leave Bogle and Gudmundsson light on support, and two holders at Elland Road against Forest might jar with a crowd eager to see recent Chelsea and Crystal Palace levels matched.

Attack focused: Ampadu anchors, Longstaff covers ground and Aaronson operates as a hybrid midfielder and wide threat. Out of possession, Aaronson can help Bogle while Buonanotte works left to aid Gudmundsson as they rotate around Calvert-Lewin.

The trade-off is greater openness, with Longstaff not at Stach’s level for loose-ball wins. Ampadu would need to be outstanding to prevent counters.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk