It was another walk in the park for Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka on Wednesday night as the Japan star controlled the game from the middle of the park and guided Leeds to a 3-0 win over Luton.
It is fair to say that Tanaka is one of the in-form players in this Leeds side at the moment. Since coming into the side for the injured Ethan Ampadu, Tanaka has started 10 league games in a row for Leeds so far.
His work rate, combative style of play and passing have not gone under the radar. October’s Leeds Player of the Month, Tanaka has even been given the nickname ‘Tiger’ by manager Daniel Farke in recent weeks.
Statistically, Tanaka is the best midfielder in English football this month and Wilfried Gnonto described Tanaka as the “best player in the world” after his Swansea display. He starred again on Wednesday night.
Simon Grayson shares what has impressed him about Ao Tanaka
What has come as a surprise, is the way Tanaka has taken to life in the Championship. England’s second tier is renowned for its physicality, the physical endurance of going through 46 matches in just a season.
Tanaka has only played in the second tier of Germany and Japan’s J-League at club level. This is by far, the toughest league he has played in and yet, Tanaka is on fire. Simon Grayson has been really impressed.
“Really impressed with him. Strength, commitment, he makes it look so easy and does the ugly side of the game well. Rothwell is good, they compliment each other well,” Grayson told LUTV’s Matchday Live show.
“When the other two come back, Ampadu and Gruev, competition there. You’re not going to go through a full season with a full compliment of players, but when you do come in you have to effect it. They have.”
Ao Tanaka is one of the Championship’s best players right now
Tanaka is one of Leeds’ best players right now, there is no doubt about that and given Leeds sit at the top of the table, it makes Tanaka one of the best in the entire league. The stats prove just as much currently.
FotMob’s Championship player ratings so far:
| Name | Club | Games (Starts) | FotMob rating |
| Harrison Burrows | Sheffield United | 14 (14) | 7.60 |
| Vini Souza | Sheffield United | 16 (16) | 7.57 |
| Viktor Johansson | Stoke City | 17 (17) | 7.56 |
| Ao Tanaka | Leeds United | 14 (10) | 7.55 |
| Alfie Doughty | Luton Town | 13 (13) | 7.55 |
| Michael Cooper | Sheffield United | 15 (15) | 7.54 |
| Finn Azaz | Middlesbrough | 16 (16) | 7.52 |
| Ollie Arblaster | Sheffield United | 12 (11) | 7.50 |
| Borja Sainz | Norwich City | 17 (17) | 7.48 |
| Conrad Egan-Riley | Burnley | 14 (13) | 7.46 |
Norwich fans will argue Borja Sainz is up there, while Sheffield United boast the likes of Vini Souza, Ollie Arblaster and Michael Cooper all in good form. Luton’s Alfie Doughty was missing on Wednesday night.
But he has created more opportunities than any other player in the Championship this season, the wing-back-stroke-winger shining in a Rob Edwards’ side that is struggling. FotMob rate Tanaka as fourth-best.
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