Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka made a statement and a half to start more often under Daniel Farke, and Willy Gnonto agrees.
United are through to the FA Cup semi-final after a dramatic penalty shootout win over West Ham on Easter Sunday.
Having looked like cruising to victory with a 2-0 lead, the Irons fought back to take the game to extra-time and then spot-kicks.
Ao Tanaka makes huge statement for Leeds United starting role
A starting berth was handed to Ao Tanaka by Daniel Farke on Sunday. It was a popular decision after his brilliance in the Championship last season, plus a handful of stellar Premier League showings this term.
He started as he meant to go on too, linking with Noah Okafor often as the Swiss winger was denied early on by Alphonse Areola.
However, that connection paid off for Leeds as Tanaka started a flowing move before getting the ball back from Okafor. Tanaka turned and, via a deflection, saw his shot loop over the Irons stopper and off the crossbar for 0-1.
It was a stunning statement of Tanaka’s quality, if anyone needed reminding. Perhaps, it could’ve swayed Farke’s judgement for the remainder of the season.
Willy Gnonto in full agreement with Leeds United fans on Ao Tanaka performance
It’s not just us Leeds fans that are eager to see Tanaka play as much as possible before the end of this season, the players clearly think it too.
Tanaka took to Instagram on Monday to react to helping Leeds book a place at Wembley. The Japan international is set for his second outing at Wembley in a matter of weeks. He helped his country to a narrow win over England during the March international break.
Amongst the comments was fellow frustrated Leeds fringe option Willy Gnonto. The winger’s two-word comment sums up what we’re all thinking:
“No coincidence,” Gnonto wrote.
Daniel Farke cannot ignore Ao Tanaka anymore in Leeds United’s survival bid
Some of our best midfield performances this season have come thanks to Tanaka’s help in the middle of the park. He has had some terrific games next to Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach.
This game was superb from Tanaka yet again. He wasn’t only showing his quality in shifting the ball quick and following his run, but he was gritty without the ball too.
I simply do not see a world where he doesn’t make us better by playing as often as possible. He can do a bit of everything, and it’s what we’re missing.
It looks like Gnonto agrees, and he’s right. It’s no coincidence we looked so much better on the ball as soon as Tanaka came in.
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