Many members of the Leeds United Championship-winning side from last season have seen their gametime reduced following the Whites’ promotion to the Premier League.
Despite being Leeds’ top goalscorer last season, Joel Piroe has become a fringe player at best for Leeds this season, with the forward still on the hunt for his first Premier League goal.
Dan James is another player who has rarely featured for United this season; however, this could be put down to injuries more than actual poor performances on the pitch.
Ao Tanaka’s lack of gametime has been a controversial topic within the fanbase throughout the entire season so far, but Leeds fans will be delighted after the major transfer news that has recently emerged regarding the Japanese midfielder.
Leeds ‘have no plans’ to sell Ao Tanaka this summer
Tanaka, 27, was a revelation for Leeds in midfield last season, with his performances being a vital reason as to why Leeds went up, whilst also earning the player fan favourite status in West Yorkshire.
Despite his debut Premier League campaign not going to plan so far, with just seven of his 20 league appearances so far being starts, Leeds have no plans of selling Tanaka this summer, according to a report from Football Insider.
The report states that Leeds “have no plans to let him leave as it stands” with Tanaka being backed to win his place back in the United starting XI.
This will be reassuring news for Leeds supporters who will have understandably begun to question the Japanese international’s future in West Yorkshire after Tanaka had been an unused substitute in Leeds’ last six Premier League outings.
Ao Tanaka will likely get an opportunity to impress against Norwich
Tanaka has not featured for Leeds since the last round of the FA Cup against Birmingham; however, this is expected to change with the Whites welcoming Norwich to Elland Road on Sunday.
The midfielder’s last Premier League appearance was a 24-minute cameo against Everton back in January; however, Tanaka was criticised in the aftermath for his involvement in Everton’s equaliser.
- Tanaka was sloppy on the ball against Everton, completing just six of the 10 passes he attempted
- He particularly struggled to impact the game from an attacking sense, completing just two of the five passes he attempted in the opposition half
- Tanaka did, however, win both of the ground duels he was involved in during the game (Sofascore)
The upcoming cup tie against Norwich could be the first step in Tanaka regaining Daniel Farke’s trust, should the midfielder impress.
Tanaka will be fully aware that should he fail to impress against the Championship outfit, then he will likely remain watching the bulk of Leeds’ games from the sideline from now until the end of the campaign.
READ MORE: Tony Pulis sympathises with Daniel Farke amid FA sanctions for Leeds United boss – The Leeds Press
Tanaka will come good, we’d be mad to sell him.