Everybody wanted to see more of Ao Tanaka. The Japan international impressed in cameo appearances from the bench against Coventry City , Burnley and Cardiff City , exciting Leeds United fans with his classy touch and ability to keep possession ticking over. It was enough to merit talk of a first start since he signed from Fortuna Dusseldorf on deadline day and he was handed that opportunity against Norwich City .
Advertisement It was a testing but capable performance as Leeds took a well earned point from a 1-1 draw, sending them into Friday’s trip to table-topping Sunderland in good spirits. Tanaka’s breakthrough into the starting team came out of necessity following the injury layoff of captain Ethan Ampadu . The Welshman is expected to be out for a minimum of ten weeks following damage to his lateral ligament in his left knee sustained in a tackle in the 3-0 win over Coventry City at the weekend.
Tanaka is his direct successor, even though the two players are different types of central midfielder with Ampadu better suited to the double pivot role within Daniel Farke’s preferred formation. It is a job Tanaka, 26, performed well after being called into action from the bench against Coventry following Ampadu’s withdrawal, shepherding the midfield unit in a comfortable home win. The test against Norwich, however, was a different prospect.
From the off, Norwich played on the front foot and brought the game to United in stark contrast to the meagre offensive threat of Co.