Daniel Farke and his Leeds United side go up against Derby County on Sunday evening. With games coming thick and fast, the Whites boss could rotate some players in the coming weeks.
Leeds United beat Stoke City 2-0 on Boxing Day. The three points sees them return to the top of the Championship table after Sheffield United lost at home to Burnley.
The win at the bet365 Stadium was a routine one for Leeds with Joel Piroe on the scoresheet twice as he silence his doubters with a brace.
And Leeds United fans were impressed with Ethan Ampadu in the midfield. He’s started the last two now, with Ao Tanaka dropped to the bench against Stoke.
Tanaka became a key player for Leeds in the absence of Ampadu. But the 26-year-old was limited to a 10 minute appearances on Boxing Day, and how Farke manages his midfield selection going forward remains to be seen.
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Daniel Farke may have just dropped Joe Rothwell hint ahead of Derby County
Speaking after the game against Stoke City, Farke explained how Tanaka was simply in need of a rest, and that he didn’t want to drop the summer signing.
He told Yorkshire Evening Post: “For Ao Tanaka, he was, and is and will be, a key player for us. I think he’s done outstanding for us in the recent weeks.
“But we must not forget we are right now in a period with eight games within 29 days. Right now we’re heading into a period with four games within 10 days.
“For Ao it’s the first season in English football, it’s the first time that he has to play during Christmas. Normally he’s just on the sofa.”
Farke then added: “You always want to have him on the pitch, but you need to give him, sometimes also rest.”
Joe Rothwell started against Stoke. But the Bournemouth loan man didn’t have his most impressive game and with plenty of Leeds fans shocked by Tanaka not starting against Stoke, Farke may well try another new midfield partnership against Derby in Tanaka and Ampadu.
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Why Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu partnership could be perfect for Leeds United
Farke’s comments certainly seem to suggest that he’s ready to chop and change his side in the coming weeks, not just the midfield.
But they also seem to suggest that Tanaka is set to return to the XI very soon, and with Farke being a huge fan of Ampadu, it could spell an Ampadu and Tanaka partnership.
Rothwell remains a popular player at Leeds United, but against Stoke he seemed a bit ineffective at times.
Tanaka may be better at moving the ball forward and breaking the lines whereas Rothwell is more someone to keep play ticking over.
Farke’s starting XI against Derby County could certainly spring up a few surprises.
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