Ao Tanaka has only played a handful of minutes for Leeds United this 2024-25 Championship season since arriving from Fortuna Düsseldorf in the summer transfer window. However, he’s impressing in the limited time he’s out on the pitch.
The Whites beat out several suitors in top flight league across Europe as a report suggests that Serie A side Como and Scottish giants Celtic FC were also keen on the player before he was convinced to head to Elland Road.
With so much work into convincing Tanaka to drop to the second tier of English football, his lack of playing time is puzzling. There was speculation that the Japanese ace would get a start against Cardiff City this past Saturday, considering the number of injuries to Leeds’ squad.
“Say for instance, Rodon didn’t play, it brings Tanaka in because Ampadu drops back, Gruev is the No.6 and Tanaka is the No.8,” journalist Graham Smyth before the match against the Bluebirds.
“I almost think this is the time to bring Tanaka in anyway. I know Farke is very patient and bides his time – we saw it with Gruev last season – but Cardiff are a team who are struggling.
“They’re trying to play out from the back, they’re not parking the bus. They’re conceding goals for fun and have scored one goal. You don’t need two No.6’s in this game and if Tanaka gives you a little bit extra going forward.”
Nonetheless, Tanaka wouldn’t start and again come off the bench to play one minute in the contest.
Ao Tanaka impresses in limited action stat shows
Despite being a sporadic starter so far in his tenure, the 26-year-old has impressed in his limited playing time. Opta’s Jonny Cooper spotlighted a stat that will have many asking Daniel Farke when Tanaka will break into his starting 11.
Tanaka completed all 25 of his passes against Cardiff on Saturday, bringing his total to just three misplaced passes out of 50 since joining Leeds United, per Cooper.
Ao Tanaka completed all 25 of his passes yesterday against Cardiff. He has only misplaced three out of 50 passes in a Leeds United shirt so far. #lufc pic.twitter.com/Gm6LfnNSFK
— Jonny Cooper (@JRCooper26) September 22, 2024
The Leeds newcomer spent the last four years playing for the German side Fortuna Düsseldorf, making 95 appearances while also scoring 10 goals and registering eight assists. It will be interesting to see when his minutes go up and whether he can take advantage of this opportunity.
