Leeds United defender Robin Koch is relishing the opportunity of going toe-to-toe with Manchester City forward Erling Haaland.
Leeds-born Haaland, whose father Alfie-Inge played 92 times for United across all competitions, arrived at the Etihad Stadium from Borussia Dortmund for £51.2m this summer.
The 22-year-old established himself as one of the most prolific goal scorers in Europe at the Westfalenstadion – scoring an astonishing 86 goals in 89 appearances across all competitions.
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Koch has only previously come up against Haaland when his Germany under-21 side prevailed 2-1 over Norway in a UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier in October 2018.
The Leeds centre-back has enjoyed a positive pre-season after two years marred by injury and is looking forward to testing himself against the Norwegian international.
“Definitely [I am looking forward to testing myself against Haaland],” Koch told Sky Deutschland. “You play against top strikers in every game here anyway, so you look forward to all duels – including the one against Erling Haaland.
“I do believe that the Premier League is the best league – especially with the transfers that have been made in the last two or three years.
“Now again with Erling Haaland. The trend is that the Premier League is getting stronger.”
Koch will have to wait until Boxing Day when Manchester City travel to Elland Road for his first potential battle with Haaland. The Citizens then host Leeds in their penultimate home game of the season at the Etihad Stadium on 6 May.
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