Ao Tanaka
Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka recently made his return to the starting line-up following a knee injury, but both the player and his manager, Daniel Farke, acknowledged that his performance against West Ham United was not up to his usual standards. Despite this, Tanaka’s return marked a significant milestone in his career at Elland Road, as he achieved a club record for the most wins in his first 20 league starts.
Ao Tanaka said: “It was not the best performance for me, I need to improve my quality every game. Because this is the Premier League, I can’t play high performance every game. I will try my best every game.”
Daniel Farke said: “For Ao it was not easy, because in the last games he was involved, but not with too many minutes. So the first time back in the starting line-up was difficult. I think he handled it quite good in possession, against the ball. There were a few challenges he could have done a little bit better. He’s an important player for us. He’s a great, great character – we really like him. It was perhaps not his most shining performance, but it was important for him. I think he got a bit more tired in the second half, because it was the first time in the starting line-up. But I’m glad that he handled it quite, quite solid and reliable today.”
Tanaka’s recent performance was his first start since sustaining an injury against Arsenal two months ago. During his recovery, he was used sparingly as a substitute in the last four matches, accumulating just 42 minutes of playtime. This lack of game time was cited by Farke as a reason for Tanaka’s subdued performance. Nevertheless, the Japanese international’s return to the starting lineup was a crucial step in regaining his form and confidence on the pitch.
Despite not being at his best, Tanaka’s presence was felt as he achieved a notable club record. According to Jonny Cooper from Opta, the match against West Ham marked Tanaka’s 20th league start at Elland Road, where he has been on the winning side 18 times—a record for Leeds United players in their first 20 starts. This statistic highlights Tanaka’s importance to the team and his potential impact when fully fit.
Tanaka’s self-critical approach is a testament to his humility and determination to maintain his place in a competitive Leeds United midfield. As he continues to recover and gain match fitness, Tanaka’s mindset and impressive track record will be key in solidifying his role within the squad.
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