Former Leeds United forward Noel Whelan says he wants Robin Koch to play in defence ahead of the upcoming season, claiming that the game is 'too quick' for him in midfield.
Koch missed the first half of last season through injury, but when he returned, he often played as a holding midfielder in Kalvin Phillips' absence. Towards the end of the season, Koch filled in at right-back for Luke Ayling.
However, the majority of his playing time was spent in midfield. The 26-year-old only played a handful of league games in his preferred centre-back position, and Whelan doesn't want to see the German tried in midfield again.
“We’ve seen glimpses of what Koch can do, especially at the back end of last season,” Whelan told Football Insider.
“But we haven’t seen enough from him in centre-back, to be honest. We’ve seen him play in different roles, and it’s been a very stop and start time for him at Leeds United with the injuries he’s had.
“He’s got to be making a massive push to break into that centre-back role this season. I don’t think he’s a midfield player. He did a job last season when Phillips was out – but the game was too quick for him at times.
“He looks half a yard off where he should be in certain areas. It’s very difficult to move from the defence into midfield. It’s not easy – it’s a different skillset altogether. I want to see him in the defence this season – I don’t want to see square pegs in round holes anymore, now we’ve spent this money this summer.”
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