He might not have started on Tuesday, but Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka still played his part to produce one of the results of the international break as Japan beat Brazil.
It has been a tricky start to the season for Tanaka, something he is not used to. The Japan star was always first choice with J-League side Kawasaki Frontale, and first choice in Germany with Fortuna Dusseldorf.
It took him a bit of time to win his place in Daniel Farke’s promotion-chasing Leeds last season, but by the end of September, he was starting games. This season, that has not been the case for the Leeds favourite.
Tanaka started the first two Premier League games of the season against Everton and Arsenal, but injury saw him drop out of the side and allow Sean Longstaff to start with Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach.
Ao Tanaka tells Leeds fans he will “try his best” after Japan win
Tanaka has failed to start Leeds’ last five league games, with Longstaff, Ampadu, and Stach quite easily the first-choice midfield. Leeds have concerns with Tanaka’s physicality, and that has been quite evident.
Tanaka meanwhile, has admitted his frustration over being benched by Farke when speaking to Japanese media. Especially, with there being less games to play. On Tuesday, he came off the bench for 15 minutes.
Japan went into the break 2-0 down, but by the time Tanaka came on, Japan were beating Brazil 3-2. Tanaka took to Instagram in the early hours of Wednesday morning with a message for supporters.
He posted a brief message to supporters of the National Team, as well as those of a Leeds persuasion: “Good game. Reflection and Growth. I’ll do my best in England again.”
Could Daniel Farke decide to start Tanaka over Anton Stach?
Stach’s form has been largely up and down in a Leeds shirt. He won the penalty against Everton, he scored a stunner against Wolves and won the ball high up the pitch more than once against Tottenham.
But there are occasions in which Stach can go a bit quiet. It was Tanaka’s pass after coming on as a sub that gave Dominic Calvert-Lewin a big chance to score against Spurs, only for Guglielmo Vicario to save.
Tanaka might not be the big, physical presence that Farke believes will keep Leeds in the Premier League. But he has the class, the finesse, and the passing to make a difference. If Stach drops off, Tanaka is ready.
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