Noah Okafor was Leeds United’s best player against Fulham last weekend. But someone else needs to be starting in the XI for the next game against Wolves.
Leeds United lost 1-0 away at Fulham in their last outing, in a very disappointing result for Daniel Farke’s side who now sit in 16th place of the Premier League table.
But there were plenty of positives from the performance: Leeds played relatively well and had chances to win the game themselves, and the debut performance of Noah Okafor was very promising.
Leeds United fans hailed Okafor’s performance in what was his first start in the Premier League since arriving from AC Milan in an £18million deal this summer.
Expect the Swiss to keep his spot in the XI when Leeds play Wolves in an early crunch match this weekend. But Farke also needs to consider bringing Ao Tanaka back into the XI.
Ao Tanaka during Leeds United v Everton - Premier League
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Leeds United desperately miss Ao Tanaka’s presence
Tanaka was forced off the pitch during Leeds United’s 5-0 defeat against Arsenal last month. The Japanese star suffered an MCL injury but made a hasty return to fitness, starting on the bench against Fulham but not coming on to the pitch.
Whilst Farke has good options in midfield after the summer signings of Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff, Tanaka is one who really suits the style of play under Farke who desperately needs to get the 27-year-old back into the lineup, when he’s fit enough to do so, and get Leeds ticking once again.
Still, the real issues lie up front. Tanaka isn’t really a goal scorer but more of a connecting player in midfield, and so Farke needs the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin to really step up to the plate this season, and soon.
Ao Tanaka of Leeds United
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If Leeds United don’t improve, they can say goodbye to Ao Tanaka
Last season, Tanaka scored five goals and assisted two more in 43 Championship games. Whilst Dan James won the Player of the Season award, Tanaka was many fans’ choice, and he’s someone who Farke will be relying on heavily this season.
But if Leeds get themselves into a relegation fight, as many expect to happen this season, then the Whites can surely wave goodbye to Tanaka who’ll no doubt prove his quality in the top flight this season, and no doubt move on if Leeds are relegated.
Speaking this summer, Tanaka revealed his relief at earning promotion, suggesting that he may well have left Elland Road if Leeds United weren’t promoted.
Tanaka explained: “Of course, there was also the view that if I was doing so well in the games, I could move up even if we weren’t promoted. However, I was well aware that transferring isn’t easy, so I was determined to get promoted.”
Expect Tanaka to feature against Wolves, hopefully from the start. If he picks up where he left off then Leeds have a great chance of taking something from the game.