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Why Ao Tanaka's Asian Cup reprieve spells terrible news for Leeds United teammate
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- Why Ao Tanaka's Asian Cup reprieve spells terrible news for Leeds United teammate
Ao Tanaka looks set to stay with Leeds United in January after the postponement of the Asian Cup.
The Whites, like many Premier League teams, are approaching the crucial winter months.
December through February always provides plenty of matches, which can make or break a team's season.
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For Daniel Farke, it essentially saved his skin at Elland Road last term, as the Whites gained crucial momentum in their bid for Premier League survival.
The winter months can also bring injury, which is why Leeds always had a headache on their hands with Tanaka set to play in the Asian Cup with Japan in January.
However, the tournament has been postponed, and Leeds have plenty to take from it.
Leeds given multi-game Ao Tanaka lift with Asian Cup postponement
The Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 was set to take place from 7 January until 5 February.
The tournament has been postponed, with the new dates subject to FIFA approval, set to be from 23 December next year until 21 January 2028.
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Tanaka was initially set to miss two Premier League games at a minimum, with games against Manchester City and Tottenham both pencilled in for 6 January and 16 January.
The Japan international would have also been absent for an FA Cup third-round fixture, which is set to take place between the games against Man City and Spurs.
Tanaka's nation was one of the favourites to win the tournament, and had they reached the final, he would have also missed league games against Chelsea, Coventry City and Bournemouth.
So long as FIFA approve of the decision, the midfielder will avoid an absence from Elland Road.
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It comes as a big boost for Leeds, as Tanaka has emerged as a key starter for Farke this campaign.
Even Declan Rice previously called the 27-year-old "unbelievable" after seeing him play in the Championship, as per the Yorkshire Evening Post .
But why is this not good news for one Leeds player in particular?
Ao Tanaka sends message as Premier League rival reveals 'curse' away from Leeds United Tanaka-Asian Cup reprieve bad news for Leeds struggler
Leeds tried to sign a midfielder in the summer transfer window, but it was the one area where they failed to improve.
This was always a boost for the likes of Sean Longstaff and Ilia Gruev, who are both down Farke's pecking order.
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However, Tanaka's planned exit in January would have boosted their chances of game time.
It's particularly an important period for Gruev, who has been playing catch-up due to a knee injury he sustained at the back end of last season.
The Bulgarian international has been included in four of Farke's Premier League matchday squads this season, but has yet to make an appearance.
With Tanaka set to stay in January, Gruev's last chance of making an impact looks slim.
He could be sold during the window.
