Leeds United have enjoyed a great deal of success this season upon their return to the Premier League, despite Daniel Farke making some selection decisions that fans may not have initially agreed with.
Back in the summer, if you told supporters that Willy Gnonto had only started four Premier League games up to this point, they would have been furious and demanded answers.
Similarly, with the likes of Joel Piroe, who has seen his role in the squad go from star player to effectively being a cheerleader glued to the bench.
Ao Tanaka is also a victim of these tough selection decisions from Farke that have ultimately been justified, given the amount of points the Whites have accumulated this season; however, the Japanese midfielder’s stay in West Yorkshire could be coming to an end if he does not get more gametime sooner rather than later.
Ao Tanaka likely to leave Leeds this summer after a lack of gametime
Given how exceptional Tanaka was last season during the promotion-winning campaign, it is unthinkable that the 27-year-old has become a bit-part player for Leeds this season.
Whilst Tanaka is undoubtedly a better technical player than Ilia Gruev, for example, Gruev has been exceptional this season and has made Leeds more defensively resolute and harder to play against.
However, given the fact that Leeds were chasing the game in the second half against Manchester City in their most recent outing, Tanaka will be furious that he was not subbed on by Farke and given an opportunity to try get Leeds back into the game.
To not trust Tanaka in a big away game when Leeds will likely not have the ball is understandable, but to not sub him off when the Whites are chasing a game shows that Farke’s feelings towards the midfielder are clear, and ultimately, Farke evidently does not feel as though Tanaka can cut it in the top flight.
READ MORE: ‘Not a top ball-winner’ – Leeds United star Anton Stach slammed in brutal verdict – The Leeds Press
Data suggests that Ao Tanaka’s involvement has been limited this season
Of Tanaka’s 20 Premier League appearances this season, just seven of those have been starts.
- Tanaka has played a total of 753 minutes in the league this season
- The Japanese international averages just 38 minutes per game
- Tanaka has been an unused substitute in United’s last five Premier League fixtures (Sofascore)
Tanaka’s last league appearance for Leeds came against Everton at the backend of January, and with the midfielder being in the prime years of his career, no Leeds fan could begrudge him if he were to force a move out of West Yorkshire this summer, given his lack of gametime.
READ MORE: Leeds United rocked by major injury blow ahead of Sunderland showdown – The Leeds Press
