Leeds United
Ao Tanaka has struggled for game time this season
As the season has gone on, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has leaned towards a small core of players. He has chosen to use the same players in recent weeks, which has seen some others on the bench.
And with the club not getting great results lately, some fans have a problem with the team selection. Leeds United are just four points above the relegation zone, and are back in action on Monday night against Manchester United.
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This past weekend saw the Whites achieve a huge feat this season, as they beat West Ham to progress to the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Their run in the domestic cup competition has been arguably the best part of the season. Leeds beat Derby County, Birmingham City and Norwich, and now after beating the Hammers, they have set a date with Chelsea later this month.
Leeds United star shows out against West Ham in FA Cup triumph
Farke has been one to rotate in cup games and give priority to league action, and he has done that this season. The likes of Joel Piroe, Wilfried Gnonto, Lucas Perri and Ao Tanaka have been regulars in the FA Cup. But this past weekend, against West Ham, the Leeds boss took no chances and started some first choice options.
Tanaka kept his place in the team, and justified it with a superb game against the Hammers. He was everywhere on Sunday, winning the ball and keeping play ticking. The Japanese international managed to find spaces on the pitch with his ball carrying, and scored a goal to cap off a wonderful performance. Daniel Farke now has a difficult decision to make in the next couple of weeks.
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What must Ao Tanaka do to get back into the starting lineup?
Tanaka started the season well, but lost out when Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff were integrated in the team. Farke had been looking for more physical options in the middle of the park in the transfer market and he got them. Their style was helpful to the team, but in some games, Leeds needed that creative edge to move the ball in the middle of the park. And as seen on Sunday, that is the exact quality the midfielder brings in games. But for some reason, Farke has not trusted him much this campaign. Ao Tanaka has now given the Leeds United boss something to consider with his team selection next week.