Ao Tanaka’s Leeds United future up in the air after Daniel Farke sack news
Ao Tanaka has been a squad player for Leeds this season.
Despite being one of the best players in the Championship last season, Tanaka has lost his starting place at Leeds this season.
Sean Longstaff has cemented his place as a regular, while Anton Stach, despite his recent drop in form, has often been seen as the best bit of business that the Whites did in the summer.
However, while Tanaka has still been used as an impact player at times, something far more definitive could be on the cards for him in January.
Daniel Farke set to stay at Leeds
Despite the poor run of form, Daniel Farke looks set to stay at Leeds, with the 49ers unlikely to pull the trigger on him.
The Whites have just 11 points from their first 11 games, and while that keeps them at their one point-per-game target, it will change for the worse in the coming weeks.
With Farke looking likely to stay, it could potentially spell the end for Tanaka, who will not want to spend the rest of the season as a backup option.
Tanaka’s performances in the Championship last season will have garnered a lot of attention, and that attention will have carried over into the current campaign despite his lack of involvement.
Leeds will want him to stay, but it remains to be seen whether that feeling will be mutual, given his lack of guarantees over gametime.
Who else could leave Leeds in January?
MOT Leeds News revealed Saudi interest in Willy Gnonto, and given his lack of minutes this season, that could grow legs.
Despite seemingly being fit, Farke has opted against including the Italian in his matchday squads as of late, sparking more concern.
Outside of that, Jack Harrison could also be on the move from Leeds, though that would likely depend on whether or not Farke stays.
The German seems to be a fan of the Englishman, but should he face the sack, it’s hard to see Harrison being fancied by the next manager.
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