It is quite the norm for players to jet off to their home nations during an international break and speak to their country’s media, and more often than not, they speak a lot more openly.
Perhaps it is the setting, the familiarisation of being at home that allows them to speak more honestly, from the heart. This week, Jaka Bijol told Slovenian media he is not happy regarding his lack of games.
Bijol joined Leeds for £15m and has been hailed as a “marquee signing” by Daniel Farke, yet the former Udinese star has not played a single minute in any of Leeds United’s seven Premier League games so far.
Understandably, Bijol is frustrated with the suspension against Everton allowing Pascal Struijk in, and the Dutchman starring since. But Bijol is not the only example of a player frustrated at a lack of game time.
Ao Tanaka opens up on his lack of Leeds game time
Tanaka’s situation is slightly different. The Japan star sparkled against Everton on the opening day, before getting injured in the second game of the season. Fit again, Tanaka has lost his place in the starting XI.
Unfortunately for Tanaka, the form of Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach has been impenetrable. Speaking to reporters while on international duty in Japan, as per GOAL, Tanaka has underlined his disappointment.
“Of course, the most important thing is that I’m disappointed that I’m not playing in the games,” but he also revealed that he has not lost confidence, saying, “But that’s the way the Premier League is.
“Any team I look at, I feel that even players on the bench or not playing have overwhelming quality. Only seven games gone, I still have a lot of issues to work on, but I also have the feeling that I can do it.”
Ao Tanaka admits struggling with his early-season injury
Tanaka had missed out on Japan’s squad for the September break, but has been called-up now fit again to face Brazil and Paraguay during the break. Tanaka is one of nine Leeds players in action in the break.
Tanaka has opened up about his injury, the same knee problem suffered by Ethan Ampadu in the first game of the season against Everton, resulting in a 1-0 win: “It was mentally tough in some ways.
“I just need to do what I have to do. I’m excited every game just to be able to play in the Premier League,” Tanaka continued, but the reality is that the £3.4m bargain is going to have to remain patient for a start.
The difficulty for Farke is that having added depth to his squad, he has players who are used to playing week in, week out, on the bench. The early Carabao Cup exit has not helped matters for the manager.
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