Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Tue 10 March 2026 7:10, UK

Gareth Bale has highlighted how there is no substitute for playing games, something which further backs Ao Tanaka at Leeds United.

Tanaka was one of Leeds’ best players as they won the Championship title last season, but as this campaign has progressed, his influence has waned.

The Japan international has not played for Leeds in the Premier League since coming off the bench in a 1-1 draw at Everton on 26 January, with Tanaka being an unused substitute in the six matches since.

After a couple of weeks out, Tanaka was ineffective and looked rusty in Leeds’ FA Cup fourth-round penalty shootout win over Birmingham, perhaps highlighting how he needed more minutes.

Unlike James Justin, who has grabbed his opportunity by making an impact when coming off the bench, Tanaka has looked off the pace at times as a substitute, which is why his start for Leeds against Norwich City in the FA Cup on Sunday was so valuable as the Whites eased to a 3-0 win.

Ao Tanaka gives Daniel Farke timely reminder

Tanaka got a rare opportunity to shine for Leeds in 2026 for the FA Cup fifth-round visit of Norwich.

In contrast to the Birmingham game, Tanaka looked far more comfortable, despite the Canaries also being a Championship side.

In his 70-minute display, he had a busy afternoon, both on and off the ball. The 27-year-old made five ball recoveries at one end, but was also effective with his passes and carries into the final third.

As Tanaka’s Sofascore graphic below shows, he fared well with his passing, interceptions, and aerial duels won.

Incidentally, former Tottenham and Real Madrid star Bale recently spoke about how important it is to play games, rather than sit on the bench.

He said on the latest episode of Stick to Football: “You can’t change playing games. You can train all you want, you can do extra practice. Unless you play games, you are not getting better. Your touch might be a little better, but under pressure, you don’t get better unless you play games.”

It is always a difficult task to keep a squad of around 20 players happy when there are only 11 starters.

Daniel Farke has his favourites, but by not giving some of his fringe players game time, he increases the likelihood that they won’t be able to make an impact off the bench.

There is also an onus on the player to deliver when called upon, but it seems Tanaka’s confidence has taken a hit. Either way, competition for places is fierce, and you cannot please everyone.

Leeds’ fringe players put their hand up ahead of Crystal Palace

Incidentally, as seen by the Sofascore graphic below, Tanaka’s average rating for the season is 6.72 when taking all competitions into account.

Now that Leeds have progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 2003, Farke can take stock and reflect on how his fringe players did against his old side.

The German made nine changes from the Leeds team that lost 1-0 to Sunderland last Tuesday, in what was something of a gamble.

Fortunately, it paid off as the likes of Tanaka, Sean Longstaff, Wilfried Gnonto, Joel Piroe, and Dan James showed something about them against Norwich.

Much tougher tests lie ahead, as Leeds try to stay in the Premier League for another year, with Farke’s side just three points above the relegation zone.

But games like this may convince Farke that his bench can deliver if things are not going his way.

The German was too tentative and timid against Sunderland, but if they want to stay up, he needs to be proactive.

And Tanaka has shown he can be that man, as he showed against Liverpool in a 3-3 draw in early December on a famous night at Elland Road.

Let’s hope he gets more chances in the final weeks of this gruelling season.