Ao Tanaka has quite easily been the signing of Daniel Farke’s second season in charge at Leeds United with the Japan star shining in the middle of the park for Leeds.
The Japan star has come into the starting line-up for the last six league games, replacing Ethan Ampadu after the skipper suffered a long-term knee injury in the 3-0 win over Coventry at the end of September.
Tanaka started alongside Ilia Gruev against Norwich and after just 20 minutes, the £3.4m signing found himself with Joe Rothwell in midfield as Gruev picked up a long-term knee injury which required surgery.
Gruev says he is finally able to walk after a month out, but his and Ampadu’s absence has been largely softened by the form of Tanaka and Rothwell. Tanaka has been the star of the show for Leeds recently.
Ilia Gruev heaps praise on Ao Tanaka’s quick adaptation at Leeds
Tanaka has been a revelation. Daniel Farke says he tried to sign Tanaka 12 months earlier and it easy to see why, with the Japan star’s ball retention, technicality and work rate catching the eye for the Whites.
On Saturday, Tanaka starred again – completing 106 of 116 passes. Tanaka’s 116 passes were only four short of Plymouth’s entire total and Gruev praised the summer signing before the win over Plymouth.
“I think they’re [Tanaka and Gruev] doing great,” Gruev told Leeds’ Matchday Live show on YouTube. “Especially Ao because he came so late, to adapt so quickly to the Championship and how we play.
“It is really good, it is amazing. I hope they both continue to play the way they are because it is so important to the team. They are doing amazing, if they continue like this then it helps the team,” he said.
Ao Tanaka’s stats in Leeds win against Plymouth on Saturday
It is incredible to think that Tanaka’s outing on Saturday was only his sixth start for Leeds since the star arrived at Elland Road from Dusseldorf. Neil Redfearn was impressed with duo Tanaka and Rothwell.
Ao Tanaka’s stats for Leeds against Plymouth:
- XG and XA (Expected goals and assists): 0.23
- 133 touches, 106 successful passes, 116 attempted
- One chance created, 21 passes into final third
- Two tackles, eight recoveries
- Five duels won, only one lost, fouled twice
Tanaka has not only had to deal with moving to a new country, a new language and a new team but he has done so towards the end of August, while dealing with the travel of playing for Japan internationally.
On Wednesday night, there is almost no doubt that Tanaka will be in the starting line-up against Millwall away from home. Leeds can go top with a win midweek if Sunderland fail to win, before QPR on Saturday.
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