MusaLeeds United’s midfield has been the heartbeat of a fantastic start to the Premier League campaign, as Daniel Farke looks to keep Leeds in England’s top tier and avoid relegation.
Well, the early signs look good. The last six promoted sides have all been relegated at the first time of asking. Alan Shearer predicted that trend would change this season and as things stand, it is happening.
Leeds have eight points after six games, sitting in a comfortable 11th position. While they did concede five goals at Arsenal, Leeds have only let in four goals in the other five games – two came on Saturday.
There are players showcasing their quality all over. Karl Darlow has replaced the injured Lucas Perri and not looked out of place. Jayden Bogle has started better in the Premier League than the Championship.
Graham Smyth shares concern he has with midfielder Ao Tanaka
Joe Rodon got his first Premier League goal on Saturday, Pascal Struijk is keeping Jaka Bijol out and Gabriel Gudmundsson has proved to be a bargain at £10m. But it is the midfield that is really shining.
Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff have been excellent. FotMob say Stach is Leeds’ best player so far, Longstaff has won two man of the matches in four starts and Ampadu is well, Ampadu.
Speaking to The Square Ball however, Yorkshire Evening Post writer Graham Smyth says he has a worry about Ao Tanaka. It was reported that Leeds had concerns about Tanaka’s physicality, and Smyth agrees.
“My concern with Tanaka was physicality in the Premier League. He got run over a few times towards the end of the last season. I worried a little bit, against the most elite athletes in the Premier League.”
Clubs will become interested if Ao Tanaka struggles to play
Tanaka is a player of extreme quality, a Premier League-ready player in the making and what he lacks in physicality, he makes up for technically. Perhaps, with Leeds focused on being strong, Tanaka doesn’t fit.
Tanaka has already hinted he’d leave if Leeds didn’t get promoted last season. Tanaka’s agent has said that the Japan international is perfect for the Premier League and yet, Daniel Farke isn’t starting him.
It is still early days, but there is no doubt that if Tanaka becomes disillusioned, clubs will consider Tanaka as an option, perhaps as early as January or at the end of the current Premier League campaign.
Musa
