Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has a few selection headaches ahead of the Brighton clash at the Amex Stadium on Saturday. All his players are fit and ready to play, and a few tough calls will have to be made over the next 24 to 36 hours.
Farke has admitted that he is enjoying the increased competition for places the fitness of his players has brought to the squad ahead of a tough away trip this weekend.
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Brighton are a tough nut to crack, and Leeds will be up against their ex-player Georginio Rutter, who will be looking to punish his former team on his current stomping ground.
The midfield make-up of Leeds on Saturday will be intriguing as there is a decent chance that Farke calls up Anton Stach to replace Tanaka in the team on Saturday. However, that could trigger an angry reaction from the fans.
Daniel Farke provided his honest assessment of the Leeds United midfielder
Tanaka recently admitted that he doesn’t consider himself to be good enough to play in the Premier League just yet and is enjoying the challenge of taking his game to the next level.
The midfielder returned to the Leeds starting eleven last weekend for the first time since September, when a knee injury saw him lose his place in the team.
Farke is delighted that one of his players is humble enough to be self-critical and is demanding a higher standard from himself in the Premier League.
However, he believes Tanaka did well against West Ham for a player who was coming back to the team after an injury and produced a solid, if not remarkable, performance.
“I like when someone is humble, self-critical and puts his demands really high”, Farke said in a press conference.
“No reason to be too self-critical. Ao was fantastic for us, of course, it’s the first time in his career he has played in a top league, so a point to prove there. Had a fantastic pre-season, also a fantastic start in the Everton game, for example.
“Sadly, an injury and no one is to blame, especially not him. Out for a few weeks, it’s not like the first game back, where you play the opponent out of the park.
“Definitely a solid performance against West Ham. Didn’t expect him to be Man of the Match, but I think he was quite solid and played his part to dominate the game. A bit tired after 60 minutes, but that’s normal.”
Farke would be making a mistake if he dropped Tanaka now, and risk a backlash
Tanaka was the best midfielder in the Championship last season, and he makes Leeds tick with his incisive passing and ability to build attacks from the deep.
Pound for pound, he has been one of the best signings Leeds have made and now deserves a run in the starting eleven in the Premier League.
Leeds fans are clear that they do not want the Japanese midfielder to get dropped to make way for Anton Stach to return to the team.
The Whites have won two and drawn one in the three games Tanaka has started for Leeds this season, and a fan has pointed it out.
We’ve never lost a game when Tanaka has started. Just saying
— Rachel 💜🏳️🌈⚡ (@purplenoodlepie) October 29, 2025
Another Leeds fan has pointed out that while Stach is a good player, Tanaka brings more balance to the midfield when he plays as part of the three in the middle.
Stach not done anything wrong but we look much more balanced in midfield with Tanaka.
— BEN SMITH (@BENSMITQ5) October 29, 2025
Most Leeds supporters are insistent that Tanaka should start against Brighton, and they are expecting him to be in the eleven, as Farke is not known for changing a winning combination.
Farke doesn’t change a winning team without injuries. It’s a pointless discussion
— Jay Coyle (@JayCoyle301) October 29, 2025
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