Ao Tanaka one step away from Leeds United return after Daniel Farke decision
Ao Tanaka has lost his place in Leeds United’s starting 11 in the Premier League.
Leeds have found plenty of success so far this season, having picked up eight points from their first seven games since returning to the top flight.
A lot of that has been down to the success of their summer arrivals, with the likes of Anton Stach, Sean Longstaff and Noah Okafor starting to show their worth.
However, several of those who played a crucial role in the Whites’ promotion last season have had to take a backseat for now, and that includes Tanaka.
Daniel Farke won’t budge from Leeds’ midfield three
Nor should he when you take into account how crucial each of them have been this season.
Longstaff has really started to find his feet at Leeds after a frustrating start to his time at Elland Road, while Stach has arguably been the standout summer signing.
Ethan Ampadu’s role in the side is something that no other player can replicate, leaving Tanaka on the bench.
However, Ian Darke reiterated how all it will take at Leeds is one injury or suspension for Tanaka to break back into the starting side, and potentially go on to keep his place from there on.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, he said: “If the players ahead of them are doing the job, and they are at the moment, he’s not going to get back in the team.
“He had an injury and missed a couple of games, and he can’t get back in because the players ahead of him are Stark, Ampadu and Longstaff as the three, and he’s not going to be changing that, I don’t think, at the moment and probably neither should he.
“When you’re getting results, you need to keep it mostly the same, you may make a change or two but not in such a big position.
“He’s only an injury or a suspension away from getting back in the starting line-up, and the way a league season pans out, there’s going to be plenty of opportunity for him to restake his claim.”
Ao Tanaka was immense for Leeds last season
Leeds’ success last season was a team effort, but Tanaka was certainly at the forefront of it.
Not only did the Japan international register seven goal contributions from midfield, but he also ran games for the Whites.
Via FotMob, Tanaka completed 2,364 passes throughout the campaign, with a pass accuracy of 89.9 per cent placing him in the top 7.4 per cent of midfielders.
He won 194 duels, 93 tackles and completed 54 interceptions, and with 31 chances created on top of that, it demonstartes how effective he was at both ends of the pitch.
While it was a division lower, Tanaka’s quality was obvious, and it will not be long until he gets more of a say in the Premier League with Leeds United.
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