Daniel Farke has branded Anton Stach as a "key player" for Leeds United amid debate over his role in the starting line-up.
Stach began the first seven games of the season before dropping out for Ao Tanaka against West Ham and Brighton, having picked up a rib issue and a broken finger that was hampering his output.
He came back into the line-up away at Nottingham Forest but was unconvincing in midfield, albeit Tanaka had not been scintillating in his wake either.
Nevetheless, Stach was one of the certain starters in midfield at the start of the season but there is now debate over whether Tanaka should be starting instead for creative purposes, with Sean Longstaff meanwhile pushing ahead in the pecking order.
Speaking to Sky Germany, Farke gave his vote of confidence to Stach, who has one goal and an assist in 10 Premier League outings. The manager said: "Anton is a great guy, and we have complete faith in him, both as a player and as a person.
"By English standards, it [£17million price tag] wasn't a huge amount, but for us it was a relatively large sum, as it was a key summer signing. And he has absolutely justified our faith in him and has had a very solid season from the start.
"He's truly a key player for us. It's always difficult for players - and you can see that with top players who come to the Premier League from other leagues - to perform at this level right away.
"Because the football, the physicality, and the intensity here in the Premier League are on a different level than, say, in the Bundesliga, La Liga, or Serie A. It's a different style of football, and you often need a bit of time."
Farke added: "It's down to Anton's quality, but also his character, that he managed to establish himself so well and very early on and perform at a top level.
"He had a bit of a problem last week with a cracked rib and a broken finger, but I think the international break has done him a lot of good.
"I believe that if he continues to perform like this, he has every chance of being even more in the spotlight here. He's having a very, very good run for us and is developing fantastically. I think he's far from finished with his journey."
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