Ao Tanaka has been immense for Leeds United since coming into the starting line-up following injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, with the Japan star shining for The Whites.
The 26-year-old has started and finished eight Championship games in a row for Leeds, operating as the defensive midfielder alongside Joe Rothwell. Tanaka has been incredible, dictating the tempo for Leeds.
It is a slightly different role to the one Tanaka is used to. At Dusseldorf, Tanaka was scoring and creating goals but he was a more-advanced midfielder. Injuries have forced Tanaka to be the defensive lynchpin.
Nevertheless, Tanaka has managed to win Leeds United’s October Player of the Month award with more than half the vote at 54%. Wilfried Gnonto, Joe Rothwell and Largie Ramazani also got a few votes.
Tanaka wants to do something for Leeds fans after POTM award
What is clear to see with Tanaka is that is incredibly calm on the ball. Tony Dorigo said Tanaka is one of the calmest players he’s ever seen, and he’s right. Rarely gives it away, Tanaka’s passing is incredible.
But he is lacking the goals and the assists. Even if, Tanaka has already overtaken Glen Kamara in terms of shots attempted. Speaking to Leeds’ website, Tanaka says he is desperate to score in front of the fans.
“I can’t thank my teammates and the coaching staff enough, they have been a massive support since I arrived and are always helping me,” Tanaka told Leeds’ website after winning the October award.
“I’m really appreciative of their guidance and they’re the reason why I’ve managed to get this award. They’ve [Leeds fans] been great and I want to score a goal as soon as possible for them,” he added.
Tanaka’s stats for Leeds so far this season as Japan ace shines
The £3.4m signing might have been forgiven for struggling with the physicality and the pace of the Championship, having only played in Japan and the second tier of the Bundesliga before Leeds.
| Games (starts) | Passes | Tackles/Duels | Interceptions | Chances | XG | Shots |
| 12 (8) | 591 out of 646 (91.5% rate) | 12 tackles 40 duels | 13 | 9 | 0.75 | 10 |
It will be interesting to see what Daniel Farke will do in midfield, when Ampadu and Gruev are fit again. The duo are expected to be injured until the latter end of December, amid the busy Christmas period.
Farke will start captain Ampadu when all four are fit, but who goes alongside him? Rothwell has staked his claim but it is difficult to look past Tanaka when Farke has all four of his midfielders available to choose.
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