I saw ‘incredible’ Leeds player just prove he could be one of the bargains of the summer in win at Elland Road

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Leeds United made it back-to-back wins in the Championship for the second time this season with a 3-0 victory over Coventry City.

Daniel Farke‘s side produced arguably their best performance of the campaign as they comfortably dispatched a Coventry team they failed to beat in either of their meetings in 2023/24.

Wilfried Gnonto was Leeds’ best player on the day and it was his stunning opener that got the scoring underway, smashing home a Junior Firpo cut-back.

Leeds then doubled their advantage just after the break when Jayden Bogle netted his first for the club, in what was arguably his best individual display since joining from Sheffield United.

For the third time this season Joel Piroe then rounded off the scoring from the bench in what feels like a role that is perfect to his strengths.

• READ MORE: What Leeds loanee Darko Gyabi did in Plymouth’s win over Luton that left local media very impressed

Leeds find Ao Tanaka bargain after Coventry display

The one negative of Leeds’ win was that Ethan Ampadu limped off in the first half with a knee injury.

Ampadu did attempt to carry on but was clearly in too much discomfort to do so. This is the first time Leeds have played without him in a league match for a substantial number of minutes since joining from Chelsea.

Ao Tanaka was the man chosen to take his place ahead of Joe Rothwell, and the biggest compliment he can be played is Leeds continued to dominate even after the change.

Rather than stepping into that number eight role, Tanaka was actually tasked with being the like-for-like replacement for Ampadu and looked absolutely brilliant.

Not only did he complete 30 of his 32 attempted passes, but it was his off the ball work that really shone through as well.

The ‘incredible‘ Tanaka made eight ball recoveries during his time on the pitch and provided an Ampadu-like shield in front of the defence, showing Leeds will be able to compete if their captain does miss any period through injury.

His long ball that set Gnonto in behind the defence for Piroe’s goal was also inch perfect. At just over £3 million, he looks an absolute bargain.

• READ MORE: Archie Gray says Leeds player really took him ‘under his wing’ before joining Tottenham

Tanaka could now be set for full Leeds debut

Leeds now have a very short turnaround between their next two matches and so if Ampadu is out for any period of time, the door is open for Tanaka.

Norwich City and Sunderland away are coming up on Tuesday and Friday next week, so it really is hard to see Ampadu being back in time.

Leeds fans have been calling for Tanaka to be given an opportunity and though not from the start, this was his first real prolonged period of time on the pitch.

These next two matches could now really be his time to show exactly what he is about and stake a claim for the season going forward.