Ao Tanaka has been the unfortunate victim of Leeds United’s solid start to the Premier League season. He started the campaign as the first-choice midfielder in the team, but a knee injury before the September international break ruled him out for weeks, and he has not returned to the starting eleven.
Sean Longstaff has not looked back since replacing Tanaka in the team in Leeds’ 0-0 draw against Newcastle United at Elland Road. He has added solidity and Premier League experience to the Whites’ midfield.
Anton Stach has been more than steady since he joined the club, and Ethan Ampadu is the club captain, who is going to start every game for Leeds when fit. Tanaka is now finding it hard to get back into the mix after being the Championship’s standout midfielder last season.
However, with Leeds set to face two teams – Burnely and West Ham – who are below them in the league table, it could be the ideal opportunity to reimagine the midfield with Tanaka at the centre of it.
Ao Tanaka is needed in the Leeds midfield
Farke has built his team based on solidity at the back and physical resilience in the middle of the park. While Ampadu keeps things ticking along with his passing, Stach and Longstaff’s physical nature make the Whites hard to play against.
This has allowed Leeds to compete, even against the more established Premier League sides, while ensuring that they keep collecting valuable early-season points.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola even conceded that his side struggled to cope with Leeds’ physicality. However, Farke may need something different in the next two games.
Burnley and West Ham are currently in the relegation zone and struggling for form and confidence. This could be a huge chance for Leeds to open up the gap between them and the two struggling teams.
There is nothing to suggest that Burnley and West Ham are better teams than Leeds, and therefore, the Whites can afford to be more front-footed.
Tanaka may be the key to making Leeds more potent in attack as he is a far more progressive midfielder compared to Stach or Longstaff, and that may be needed against their next two opponents.
Tanaka is a better progressive passer, can carry the ball into the final third and is a better passer in the final third and in and around the opposition box than both Stach and Longstaff.
Farke faces a tough selection choice
Stach and Longstaff have made a huge impact on the team since they joined and have been two of Leeds’ best players this season. However, Farke needs to think about horses for the course.
Burnely and West Ham are two teams who are struggling for form, and this is Leeds’ chance to dominate the ball and play on the front foot in the next two games.
Tanaka is more likely to create chances and make those progressive runs into the final third and the opposition box compared to Stach or Longstaff.
Leeds need a real creative presence in midfield in the next two games, and it may be time for Tanaka to come in and make a big impact with his passing ability.
Stach and Longstaff can again be the midfield partnership in games against teams such as Brighton, Aston Villa and Manchester City in the coming weeks.
There is no point in having midfield depth if Farke refuses to change things up for certain games, based on the opposition.
Can you name the team Leeds United signed these players from in the 2000s?
