Another game, another Leeds United win, another Ao Tanaka masterclass. The Japan midfielder started his tenth consecutive match for The Whites as he continues to cover Ethan Ampadu.
The 26-year-old has been revelation since his arrival at Elland Road. Daniel Farke has made some superb signings as manager, but for £3.4m, Tanaka is surely his best bit of business in his 18 months as boss.
This month, Tanaka is the best-performing midfielder in England‘s top-four divisions. Wilfried Gnonto described Tanaka as the “best player in the world” after Sunday’s win over Swansea, a late 4-3 victory.
On Wednesday night, Tanaka lasted the entire 90 minutes again in holding midfield. The Japan star’s engine on full show once again, as he dictated the tempo and guided Leeds to a tenth league victory.
Jermaine Beckford shares his favourite thing about Ao Tanaka
Three points for Leeds took Farke’s side back to the top of the Championship table, having slipped to fourth on Tuesday night with Sheffield United and Burnley winning and Sunderland drawing once again.
Tanaka was sensational again, clocking up a remarkable 114 passes throughout the win. But even before the match, Leeds icon Jermaine Beckford was full of praise, sharing his favourite thing about Tanaka.
“In terms of ball retention, how they move the ball, one of my favourite things about Tanaka is that he manages to find space all over the pitch. It’s such a skill, it’s such a talent but he never looks phased.
“He never looks flustered, never panics on the ball. But he finds himself defensively in great areas, good positions, lots of blocks. I’m a huge admirer of his, fantastic player,” Beckford told LUTV’s Matchday Live.
Ao Tanaka surpasses 800 successful passes on Wednesday night
Despite it only being Tanaka’s tenth Leeds star on Wednesday night, the former Dusseldorf star surpassed 800 successful passes in a Leeds shirt. Quite the remarkable feat but that is not all there is to his game.
Ao Tanaka’s season stats for Leeds after just 10 starts:
- 801 successful passes, 91.9% accuracy
- 37 accurate long balls (67.3%), 11 chances created
- Dispossessed four times in 14 games, fouled 14 times
- 19 tackles won, 58 duels won, 8 headers won
- 17 interceptions, six blocks
In other words, sensational. Tanaka is a player getting himself involved too, with more than 1000 touches now after Wednesday’s win. If Leeds are going to get promoted this season, Tanaka will be absolutely key.
Of course, there is the debate over who starts in midfield when all four options are fit. Ethan Ampadu is still first choice despite his injury, but Tanaka has got to be the one that plays alongside the Welshman.
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