Moving to a new city, let alone a new country, isn’t always easy, but especially so during a global pandemic that has seen most of the world locked down. But in August 2020, Leeds defender Robin Koch did just that.
The centre-back was signed as a replacement for Ben White, then on loan at Brighton, ahead of Leeds’ return to the Premier League, but hasn’t always found England’s top flight easy.
After a debut he would probably prefer to forget against Liverpool at the start of the 2020/21 season, injuries to himself and the wider squad saw his playing time limited or played out of position to cover d other areas over the past two seasons.
But despite some tough times, 26-year-old Koch has never felt more than welcome at Leeds.
“I felt pretty good here from the start,” he said ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game against Aston Villa, live on Sky sports.
“Even with Covid it wasn’t the easiest time to move to a new city and country, but the team made it easy for me and welcomed me from day one.
“After Covid got better, shops opened and people went more into the city, I walked around and had a connection with the Leeds supporters and felt how special the club is. for the city. Everyone knows Leeds United and everyone knows who you are.
“They are so fanatical about the club and it’s nice to be here and it’s a great relationship with the fans. When I walk around town everyone comes up to talk to you, wish you the best and are always positive , even in difficult situations like last year.
“That makes it so special and I really enjoy it, on the pitch with the boys and living here.”
Now his ease at Leeds has translated on the pitch, with the defender finally blossoming after two years at Elland Road. Koch has played every minute in the Premier League this season and was named Leeds captain in a 5-2 loss to Brentford in early September.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Brentford’s win over Leeds in the Premier League
It is a role for which he was chosen by his own teammates. They named him to take the armband in the absence of other senior players. Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo have already preceded Koch as captains this season, with club captain Liam Cooper and vice-captain Luke Ayling being sidelined.
He said: “It was very special for me because I want to move forward and play an important role in the team. Getting feedback from the team and the manager to captain Leeds United is very special.
“I knew [he would be captain] because in pre-season, sometimes I was captain and the team said that if someone is injured by our captains, then it’s me. It’s quite special because you get the confidence of the teammates and the coach as well.
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“I want to be a leader for this team, even without the role of captain, but obviously it’s a good return from them.
“It’s nice to feel fit and play my best, then that brings good performances in those games. That’s what I want for myself and with the last two years with injuries it wasn’t not the easiest period for me, so now it feels even better to be in great shape and give good performances.
“It’s part of football that sometimes you have injuries. It’s not the easiest or the best time for a footballer, but when you come out of it, come out of the injury and show good performance and you feel well, then you appreciate being able to play and be back with the team even more.
“I think you come back stronger after every difficult period, so after injuries, even mentally you are stronger.”
Koch also demonstrates his leadership qualities off the pitch. He is regularly involved in community projects in Leeds, mainly involving children and young people, as he seeks to inspire the next generation.
“I appreciate it a lot,” he said. “I did the same thing in Germany and when I came here I said I wanted to do something similar and we found something. Even with Covid it wasn’t too easy but now it’s ‘is easier.
“For me, it’s partly to give something back to the community and also personally it’s so great to see how happy the kids are that you’re showing up there.
“You sometimes bring gifts with you, but you bring your time for them and talk to them, especially the kids who don’t have the easiest life and the amount of energy you can give them, you see how they are progressing and it’s nice to see.”
Koch hopes to bring a touch of that inspiration to Sunday’s Premier League face-off with Aston Villa, live on Sky sports.
It comes almost a month after their defeat at Brentford, with the death of Queen Elizabeth II which saw two of Leeds’ games postponed before the international break.
“After a month, we are happy to finally play again.” said Koch. “We had some time to regenerate, get rid of some small injuries. Now the most important thing is to focus on the next game.
“We had a lot of time to train, we used that time well, even with friendlies. Some players went for the national team and now we’re back on Friday with the whole team, then we go straight in. in the game.
“We are really looking forward to this game, obviously there are no easy games in the Premier League and we know that.
“But we’ve prepared for the weekend now, although it’s a bit different with a month-long break without a game, but we feel ready and are aiming for a win in this game.
“When you cross the [Aston Villa] line-up, we see the quality, especially in attack. We know their players and their qualities and it’s a good challenge. For me personally and for the team, it’s nice to play with the best players and that’s the Premier League, so we’re looking forward to that.”
The unexpected break has also given Leeds time to continue their work under Jesse Marsch as they adapt to new tactics and ways of playing – namely a more zonal pressing style under the American rather than the approach of man to man favored by his predecessor. , Marcelo Bielsa.
Reflecting on the job, Koch said: “It’s a process. He arrived last year in difficult circumstances and now we have a full pre-season with him and worked on a lot of things.
“I think it showed in the first games that we know the style, we play with him and it worked pretty well. Obviously we have to work more, improve even more in some parts and that’s the goal.”
With Leeds’ last Premier League victory over Chelsea at the end of August, Koch and his team will hope the extra work of the past month will guide them to three points against Aston Villa this weekend.
