Leeds spent roughly £100m on ten new signings during the summer transfer window.

Some have proven to be inspired additions – such as Sean Longstaff following his £12m move from Newcastle – although others like Jaka Bijol are yet to get going. The Slovenian cost £15m in a switch from Udinese in June.

There is still plenty of time for him and others at Leeds to show their quality this season, but Daniel Farke feels another fairly expensive addition in Anton Stach has already paid off his transfer fee.

Daniel Farke hails Anton Stach as “truly a key player” for Leeds United

The Germany international cost Leeds £17.4m in a move from Hoffenheim in July, and has shown flashes of class in his ten Premier League appearances so far – including a stunning goal away to Wolves.

It made Stach the ninth-most expensive signing in the club’s history, and Farke feels his fellow countryman has already “absolutely justified” his fee.

The 49-year-old told Sky: “Anton is a great guy, and we have complete faith in him, both as a player and as a person. By English standards, it wasn’t a huge amount, but for us, it was a relatively large sum, as it was a key summer signing. 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 (is) 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.

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“It is 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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Stach can boast one goal and one assist in his ten Premier League outings – nine of which have been starts.

Daniel Farke has a decision to make on who partners Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff against Aston Villa

Stach and Longstaff are highly likely to keep their place for the clash against Aston Villa on Sunday, but Farke should consider dropping Ethan Ampadu for Ao Tanaka.

The Wales international was disappointing in the 3-0 defeat at Brighton, and struggled again as midfield rival Morgan Gibbs-White scored in the 3-1 loss against Nottingham Forest.

Ampadu has made nine Premier League starts compared to just four for Tanaka, and with Leeds currently on a run of four defeats in the last five outings, a change might be needed.