Daniel Farke will be watching through his fingers during the international break after Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka was called up to the Japan squad.
While the 26-year-old has only made one Championship start in Leeds colours since arriving from Fortuna Dusseldorf this summer, it is vitally important he remains fit.
Farke is already without club captain Ethan Ampadu, who could be sidelined until January after damaging his lateral ligament, while Ilia Gruev is set for further scans in another potential blow [Yorkshire Evening Post].
The remaining midfield options are Tanaka, loanee Joe Rothwell, and attack-minded duo Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson unless Farke chooses to promote either Charlie Crew or James Debayo.
With this in mind, the manager will be sitting at home with his fingers crossed after the club confirmed [3 October] that Tanaka has been called up ahead of Japan’s fixtures against Saudi Arabia and Australia.
Leeds United on red alert after Ao Tanaka developments
The Japanese midfielder is certainly Farke’s best option to fill the midfield void, especially if both Ampadu and Gruev are unavailable for the foreseeable future.
Due to the former’s injury against Coventry City, Tanaka had already been handed his first start for the Whites, partnering Gruev, who was forced off after just 20 minutes against Norwich City on Tuesday 1 October.
Despite the awful circumstances, Tanaka showed exactly why Leeds do not need to hit the panic button just yet, earning a 7.7 ranking out of 10, as per FotMob.
He completed 89 per cent of his attempted passes, won the most tackles out of anyone on the pitch, completed 100 per cent of his dribbles and crosses, and won 62 per cent of his ground duels (5/8).
From the base of midfield, Tanaka ranks in the top 98 percentile for non-penalty goals, the top 89 percentile for pass completion, and the top 71 percentile for assists [FBref].
While his stats are far below Ampadu’s top 78 percentile and 93 percentile ranking for interceptions and clearances [FBref], he certainly has the ability to fill the role for Farke.
Leeds will already be praying the midfielder remains fit before returning to Elland Road after the international break.
