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Neil Redfearn thinks Daniel Farke will now drop Leeds player that’s started all four league games

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Leeds United fans got to see new signing Ao Tanaka for all of a few minutes on Saturday after the Japan star finally joined the club on deadline day, but it gives Daniel Farke a headache.

Leeds secured a second Championship win of the season, going into the September international break with eight points from a possible 12 and sitting in a solid fourth place in the Championship standings.

Three summer signings started on Saturday, in the form of Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon and Manor Solomon. The Israel ace only arrived on loan from Tottenham this week but he started, and laid on a crucial assist.

Off the bench, Leeds fans got to see two more in the form of Tanaka and Largie Ramazani. The latter came on first, before Tanaka replaced Ilia Gruev in the 86th minute and showed a nice couple of touches.

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Redfearn expects Ao Tanaka to start for Leeds ahead of Ilia Gruev

There is plenty of hype surrounding Tanaka. A three-time J-League champion, starring for Dusseldorf in Germany and playing 27 times for Japan, scoring against Spain at the World Cup in Qatar, and Germany.

Speaking after the 2-0 win over Hull on BBC Radio Leeds, former Whites manager Neil Redfearn thinks Farke will drop Ilia Gruev and play the more-attacking Tanaka alongside Ethan Ampadu moving forward.

“I don’t think we’ll see much of Gruev from now on in, I think we’ll see more of a Tanaka to be honest with you. There’s enough about Ampadu to do the role of two,” Redfearn said during his post-match analysis.

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Farke headache in midfield as Leeds secure third clean sheet

Three clean sheets in a row is impressive. That is despite question marks over the form of Jayden Bogle, and Joe Rodon yet to produce the kind of form that saw him shine last term and earn a permanent move.

Farke now has Gruev, Tanaka and Joe Rothwell to choose from to partner captain Ampadu in the middle of the park. Charlie Crew will also be looking to break into the side at some point during the season.

Redfearn has a point in that Leeds need a more-attacking option with Ampadu, goals from deep. But, Leeds have kept three clean sheets in a row with Gruev and Ampadu. That will play a role in his thinking.