Beckford wowed by what he saw Ao Tanaka do for Leeds United v Swansea
Leeds United icon Jermaine Beckford was blown away by Ao Tanaka in the incredible 4-3 victory against Swansea on Sunday.
The Whites narrowly edged the Welsh side with a last-gasp winner on 24 November to take them to the summit of the Championship table.
The 29-cap Japan international impressed at the heart of midfield, with Manor Solomon also scoring his first two goals for the club.
Speaking live on Sky Sports after the game [24 November, 17:13], Beckford said: “Absolutely phenomenal, everything apart from the defending on the initial goal for Swansea, he did today was absolutely fantastic.
“He found himself in the right areas all the time, breaking up play, getting it forward to the players that are going to cause carnage.
“Dan James on this instance, I’m pretty sure that should go down as another assist for Dan James, but again, we just saw Tanaka winning the ball back.”
Ao Tanaka is a Leeds United transfer bargain
Signed for a fee of just £2.9million in the summer from Fortuna Dusseldorf, Tanaka looks like one of the bargains of the season.
Despite Ethan Ampadu returning to fitness soon and Ilia Gruev expected back after the New Year, it is hard to see Tanaka being dropped anytime soon in his current form.
He is rapidly emerging as one of Daniel Farke’s first picks in the Whites’ starting XI, along with the likes of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk in that defensive triangle.
The Japanese midfielder ranks in the top three per cent for progressive passes and ball recoveries in the Championship with 8.07 and 7.14 per 90 minutes respectively and also ranks in the top 10 per cent for interceptions with 1.50 per game. [FBref]
One aspect of his game he has not shown yet at Leeds is goal contributions, he managed seven goals and four assists in the second-tier of German football last season.
He had to wait for the chance but now has grasped it with both hands and proved how valuable an asset he is to the Elland Road side.
In other Leeds news, a Swedish wonderkid has reacted to being linked with a transfer to Elland Road.
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