Ao Tanaka has been among Leeds United’s standout performers over the past two games and appears to have re-established his importance within the squad.
The Leeds midfielder earned plaudits for his performance in the 2-1 win over Manchester United last week and was brilliant again in the 3-0 triumph over Wolves at Elland Road this weekend.
However, Tanaka was on the fringes of Daniel Farke’s squad for the majority of the Premier League and was an unused substitute in seven straight league games earlier this year.
He has been linked with a move away from Leeds, with clubs such as Manchester United believed to be keen on him. However, it seems there has been a shift in the thinking around him at Elland Road.
Leeds U-turn on Ao Tanaka ahead of the summer
Ao Tanaka seems to have convinced the Leeds powerbrokers that he deserves to have a future at Elland Road following his last two performances.
According to Football Insider, the midfielder is now set to stay at Elland Road beyond the next summer transfer window.
He has grabbed his opportunities in the absence of the injured Anton Stach and rekindled his career at Leeds.
Football Insider journalist Peter O’Rourke has conceded that he was unhappy when he was not playing regularly. However, he will now get enough opportunities from now until the end of the season in Stach’s absence.
He said, “Tanaka was maybe a bit unhappy about not playing regularly in Daniel Farke’s side.
“Anton Stach had nailed down a place in that Leeds midfield, but now his injury has opened the door for Tanaka to come into the side.
“He’s really taken that opportunity in the last couple of games, scored in that FA Cup win at West Ham and was outstanding against Man United as well.
“Tanaka wants to be playing regularly, and the injury to Stach has given him a chance to play a key role in the run-in for Leeds and to stake a claim for a more regular place.
“Tanaka, I believe as long as he’s playing, he’s happy at Leeds, he’s enjoying playing in the Premier League, and between now and the end of the season, I think he’ll get plenty of opportunities.”
He has saved his Leeds United career
Leeds midfielder Ao Tanaka was one of the Championship’s standout players last season, playing a huge part in the club’s promotion to the Premier League.
This campaign, though, hasn’t been as smooth. Injuries, patchy form, and increased competition in midfield saw him slip out of the starting lineup. At one point, he was left on the bench for seven straight league games between late January and March, and it genuinely looked like his time at Elland Road might be winding down.
But things can change quickly in football. An injury to Anton Stach, combined with the team’s need for more energy in midfield, handed Tanaka another opportunity, this time against Manchester United at Old Trafford last week.
He grabbed it with both hands and followed that performance up with another strong showing against Wolves at home.
Tanaka has well and truly turned things around and just reignited his Leeds career.
