Ao Tanaka made his first start for Leeds United in the 1-1 draw against Norwich City as the Japanese native stepped into the Whites’ starting 11 after the injury to Ethan Ampadu.
Tanaka played 49 minutes for Leeds after he came off the bench for the injured Ampadu. The midfielder had 39 touches while completing 30 of 32 passes and recording 94 pass competition percentage.
The Leeds captain will be out until at least January after sustaining a knee ligament injury in their Championship win against Coventry City. On Tuesday night, Tanaka played all 90 minutes for Leeds against the Canaries.
In the match, the 26-year-old had 80 touches and completed 59 of 65 passes for 91 percent pass completion. Furthermore, he won five of eight ground duels while having three tackles, one interception, and one clearance.
Former Leeds standout Jon Newsome noted what he saw from Tanaka in his first start by stating what he liked from the player and what he needs to improve to be a mainstay in the Leeds starting 11.
“I thought Tanaka did okay,” Newsome said. “Maybe a little bit backward and sideways too much, but he keeps possession, and that’s his game. You can see where he has come from.
“Kept us ticking over but I’d like him to probe and look forward a little more like Rothwell, but he will be sat in the changing room and be happy with his full debut and there is more to come from him.”
More reaction from Ao Tanaka’s first start
The Athletic’s Nancy Froston was another person who provided an analysis of Tanka’s first start for the Yorkshire side. Leeds supporters wanted to see more of the midfielder after his arrival this past summer.
“Tanaka performed well and showed the same coolness under pressure,” Froston wrote. “Operating in tight spaces and finding a pass around the corner are his specialities and made for a complementary set of skills alongside the more defensive Gruev. As Farke said, Tanaka will need to work on his defensive duties but he did enough to limit the flow of Norwich’s attacks through the centre.”
