Since joining Leeds this season, Ao Tanaka has not replicated the same level of influence he had during the club’s promotion campaign in the Championship last year. Despite playing a vital role in Leeds’ promotion-winning season, Tanaka has struggled to secure playing time in the Premier League.
Having started only three league games this season, Tanaka faces stiff competition in the midfield following the arrivals of Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach over the summer. Though Leeds has made a strong start to the season, there are concerns about Tanaka’s limited playing time.
After a rare start in Leeds’ recent victory over West Ham, Tanaka made self-critical comments regarding his performance, expressing a need for improvement and admitting he can’t achieve peak performance in every game. Daniel Farke, Leeds’ manager, dismissed Tanaka’s self-criticism, emphasizing the midfielder’s quality and encouraging him to have confidence in his abilities.
Farke defended Tanaka against his own harsh critique, praising his work rate and acknowledging his potential to succeed at the Premier League level. Despite facing tough competition in the midfield, Tanaka must remain patient and poised to seize opportunities when they arise.
While Tanaka’s high standards and self-criticism are commendable, Farke aims to instill confidence in the player to prevent excessive self-criticism in the future. Tanaka’s journey from Bundesliga 2 to the Premier League may require time for adjustment, but with patience and perseverance, he can establish himself as a valuable asset to Leeds.
