Now I’m getting happier and I’m really starting to see a very strategic policy behind our summer recruitment that Daniel Farke is likely to have been working on alongside the 49ers’ own team.
After first signing attacker Lukas Nmecha (on a free) from Wolfsburg, then centre-backs Jaka Bijol (Udinese – £15 million) and Sebastiaan Bornauw (£5.1 million), again from Wolfsburg, Gabriel Gudmondsson (£10 million) from Lille and Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United (£12 million plus add-ons) we have now landed fellow German, Anton Stach from Hoffenheim for £17 million.
I’m now starting to see a trend. Each one of these signings are six feet or above – adding much-needed height to our squad. Not only that – each of them are an absolute handful aerially, physically combative and a threat from set-pieces.
Stach, stands the tallest of the lot at 6ft 4ins – his role essentially being a midfield destroyer and having watched some clips I’m certain he can intimidate many seasoned Premier League performers.
A midfield monster, Bundesliga ball-winner extraordinaire, Stach, 26, is the ultimate enforcer we need and that I think will pay dividends for us.
Defending and also attacking set-pieces, along with Bornauw (6,3), Bijol (6,3) and Nmecha (6,1) he will be crucial – something we struggled with during our last Premier League stint.
Defensive Spine Is Almost Complete
Now with the signing of Stach, along with Bijol and Bornauw, we have a fearsome defensive foundation. I can definitely see the former duo in a solid centre-back partnership (in time), with Stach in front.
Against teams that like to dominate as well, I can see both Ethan Ampadu (imposing, great vision, an eye for a pass and great defensive capabilities), along with Ao Tanaka (‘Durucell Bunny’ mark 2, incredible work rate with good attacking qualities) partnering him. Not to mention, recent arrival Longstaff who is going to give us the perfect blend of dynamism and tenacity in the middle of the pitch. I’d like to see teams like Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal get through that.
| Player Statistics – 2024/25 | Anton Stach | Sean Longstaff | Ao Tanaka | Ilia Gruev |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tackles | 2.18 – 2.30/ 90 minutes | 260 (10.4/90 match) | 72 (2.53/90 minutes) | 36 (1.90/90 minutes) |
| Interceptions | 1.60/90 | 97 | 83 (1.47/90) | 17 (0.90/90) |
| Recoveries | 8.02/90 | 573 | 217 | 53 |
| Clearances | 3.52–3.65/90 | 110 | 22 (1.09/90) | 21 (1.11/90) |
| Blocked Shots | 0.48–1.60/90 | 51 | 57 (1.25/90) | 2 (0.11/90) |
Stach for me would go straight into the starting lineup and probably make an impact from the start – I’ve no doubt about his ability and I’m sure he’ll adapt to life in the Premier League with ease. For me, we’re probably for the most fearsome set-piece threat, probably in the country right now, with Stach, Bornauw, Bijol not to mention, Nmecha, and I think we might just have found our new forte/secret weapon.
We’re certainly learning from last time around when we didn’t really add the defensive steel we needed and I can’t wait to see who comes in next. Our defensive spine at least, is almost complete – an imposing goalkeeper would be great before we turn our attentions to the attack!
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