Daniel Farke could be forced to leave out one of the most influential players from Leeds United’s promotion campaign in their Premier League opener.
While Leeds have been active in the transfer market ahead of their Premier League return, with goal-scoring midfielder Anton Stach leading the list of new recruits, a core of the players who won promotion will line up against Everton in the season’s opener.
Daniel Farke has prioritised physical presence and defensive stability in his off-season recruitment, with Stach, Jaka Bijol and Sean Longstaff all over six feet tall.
The Toffees have also been busy in the market, with big names such as Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall arriving to bolster their attack under David Moyes.
As a result, Daniel Farke may be forced into leaving one of his star players on the bench in the face of Everton’s improved attack.
Ao Tanaka and Willy Gonoto celebrate during Leeds United FC v Bristol City FC - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Leeds United should drop Ao Tanaka for Premier League opener
Although Leeds have recruited well ahead of the new season, their Achilles heel will be in attack, having failed to bring in a new striker after a long pursuit of Rodrigo Muniz.
Everton also had the best defence outside of the Premier League’s top four last season as they enjoyed a resurgence under David Moyes.
With Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall and highly-rated striker Thierno Barry all in line to make their competitive debut in the fixture, Leeds’ defence will need to be at its best to keep Everton at bay.
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This is where Ao Tanaka comes in. Concerns have emerged over Tanaka’s physicality, despite his impressive performances in the Championship. Leeds are also likely to have less of the ball than they enjoyed in the second tier, which would reduce his impact on the game.
With Leeds’ limited arsenal in attack, Farke is also likely to target set pieces and make the best use of Leeds’ newfound physical threat. All of which points to Tanaka being left on the bench, with Ethan Ampadu partnering Longstaff and Stach in a robust midfield trio.
Ao Tanaka in action during Leeds United v AC Milan, pre-season friendly match, Dublin.
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Tanaka can be an impact sub for Leeds United
Whilst Tanaka may not be used from the start against Everton, he could still play an important role for Leeds from the bench.
Daniel Farke is notorious for his 70th-minute substitutions, which will become even more important in the Premier League as Leeds look to keep the game tight until the closing stages.
Ao Tanaka 2024/25 Championship stats:
Appearances: 43
Starts: 37
Goals: 5
Assists: 2
This could be where Tanaka makes his biggest impact for Leeds this season, being introduced late on as an impact substitute as Farke looks to nick a late winner.
Farke could also elect to use him in a new role, playing him further up the field as a number 10, with a stable base behind him when Leeds switch to their familiar 4-5-1.
Leeds United FC v Sheffield United FC - Sky Bet Championship
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Declan Rice praises ‘unbelievable’ Leeds star
Despite the growing worries over his physical presence, Tanaka’s displays in the Championship did not escape the attention of England international Declan Rice.
Speaking on an appearance on the Japanese programme Weekly World Soccer earlier in May 2025, Rice praised Tanaka for his ‘unbelievable’ performances for Leeds.
Rice said: “There’s a guy at Leeds, he’s an unbelievable player. I watch the Championship all the time. Leeds is a massive club. It’s good to have them back. He’s been their Player of the Season, he’s a really good player, really energetic, really good on the ball.”
A player with Tanaka’s gifts will not be left on the sidelines for long. However, if Farke looks to keep it tight in their first game, he could be forced to wait for his Premier League debut.