Ao Tanaka has every right to be frustrated amid latest Leeds United reveal
Ao Tanaka has been a bit-part player for Leeds in the Premier League this season.
Leeds are still among the favourites for relegation this season, despite the fact that they brought in 10 new players over the course of the summer.
Several of those additions at Elland Road have impressed through, and as a result, a handful of those who played a key part in getting the Whites back to the top flight have slightly fallen out of favour.
Tanaka is one of them whose squad role has shifted this season, and he will be growing frustrated at the way Daniel Farke has handled his situation.
Ao Tanaka leads way for Leeds in key Premier League stat
Tanaka was a star in the Championship last season, and if there was ever one player you could have picked out to make the step up to the Premier League, it was him.
However, the Japanese international has been afforded just four starts this season, with 322 minutes of Premier League action.
Despite that, the 27-year-old is sixth in the Premier League for most interceptions per 90, with seven completed in total.
Via FotMob, Tanaka averages two interceptions per game, which is only 0.5 below Moises Caicedo, who is considered by many as the best midfielder in the Premier League this season.
While it may not seem overly important, Leeds have been overrun in the midfield on several occasions this season, which is something that Tanaka has the ability to stop.
Ethan Ampadu has struggled on his return to the top flight, and it may be time for Tanaka to take his place; otherwise, his frustration at being a squad player is only going to grow.
Midfield issues are the least of Leeds’ concerns
While Tanaka will help sure things up in the middle of the park, Farke has a much bigger issue to attend to if he is to not only keep his job, but also keep his side in the division.
Leeds have struggled massively offensively, and no level of defensive security will make up for the lack of threat they pose in forward areas.
It will undoubtedly be the one area Leeds look to address in the January transfer window.
Tanaka is also a player capable of driving forward with the ball, and while chance creation hasn’t been too much of a concern, his energy in transition will only aid their attempts on the front foot.
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