Ao Tanaka has been compared to Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo after he was one of two Leeds United players recognised for their stellar performance this week.
Daniel Farke has finally found a way to get the best out of his Leeds United team, as they took the game to Chelsea in a statement 3-1 win.
Ao Tanaka was at the heart of Leeds’ exceptional performance, scoring a brilliant goal to cap off a near-perfect individual display in the heart of his side’s midfield.
The Japanese international has had a frustrating Premier League season to date, and is finally beginning to show the form that earned him Leeds’ player of the year award last season.
Now, he has been compared to some of the best players in the competition by Troy Deeney, who named him in his team of the week.
What a win! Who was your Man of the Match? 🔥
Jaka Bijol in action for Leeds United
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
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Leeds United star Ao Tanaka named in Troy Deeney’s Premier League Team of the Week
Speaking to the BBC, former Premier League forward Deeney praised Tanaka for his starring role in Leeds’ much-needed win over Chelsea.
According to Deeney, Tanaka has been close to inclusion in the past, but was pipped by Rice and Caicedo. However, his goal-scoring performance against Chelsea could not be overlooked.
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Deeney said: “There’s been three times this season where he’s just missed out because Declan Rice or Moises Caicedo have been great.
“Now that he’s scored and Leeds beat Chelsea and everyone has seen the high energy, the press, the street-smarts that he has.
“He plays Premier League football like he’s been doing it for 10 years. Small, nuanced things like knowing when to make fouls, knowing when to use his energy to get past people.”
Leeds United v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Jaka Bijol also recognised for his display against Chelsea
Tanaka was not the only player who earned the praise of Deeney, as powerhouse centre-back Jaka Bijol was named in the defence of Deeney’s team.
Bijol’s performance was described as “perfect” by Leeds legend Stuart Dallas after the game, as Bijol opened the scoring with a bullet header at the near post.
Stunning Jaka Bijol stats in Leeds United win over Chelsea 👊
According to the stats, Jaka Bijol was the best player on the pitch:
90 minutes played, 8.3 FotMob rating (best on pitch)
11 defensive contributions, 44 touches
24/28 successful passes (86%)
2 tackles, 6 recoveries, 9 clearances
Five duels won (joint-fifth on pitch)
Jaka Bijol during Leeds United v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Deeney hailed Bijol’s “monster” performance at the back, as he added: “He gets his first goal of the season in a monster of a performance.
“Not only with the goal, but defensively solid. Backed it up after just missing out a couple of times because a few of the Leeds defenders have been putting in bullish performances.”
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