Sheffield Wednesday striker Josh Windass held a Q&A on Instagram over the weekend, in which he reserved very high praise for one Leeds United player.
Leeds United have left Sheffield Wednesday behind in the Championship after Daniel Farke steered his side to promotion to the Premier League.
It wasn’t easy at all. But Farke kept his promise that Leeds United would 100% be promoted and eventually won the Championship title, albeit only beating 2nd place Burnley on goal difference.
Attentions are quickly turning to the summer. The summer transfer window opens on June 1st and already there’s a growing number of players linked with moves to Elland Road, although Farke will back many of his existing players to make the step up.
There are some experienced names in his ranks like Jayden Bogle and Ethan Ampadu who look set to play starring roles next season. And there are others who may lack experience of playing in the Premier League, but who look as though they can cut it in the top flight anyway.
One such player is Ao Tanaka.
Josh Windass says Ao Tanaka was the best player he faced in the Championship last season
Leeds United signed Tanaka for £3.4million from Fortuna Dusseldorf last summer, and it’s since proven to be one of the Whites’ most inspired signings, perhaps of the 21st century. The Japanese international went on to feature 43 times in the Championship and scored five goals, claiming three assists too.
On his Instagram Q&A, Windass was asked who is the ‘best opposing player in the Champ this season’, and the Wednesday forward simply replied: “Probably Tanaka. Clever player.”
Every Leeds United fan will agree that Tanaka has really been a good signing. Like Windass says, he’s a very clever and intricate player, with Jermaine Beckford even saying that Tanaka’s work often goes unnoticed on the pitch, probably because he works in the most congested area of the pitch.
Stuart Dallas’ worrying transfer prediction for Ao Tanaka at Leeds United
Right now, expect the 26-year-old Tanaka to be very much excited about playing for Leeds United in the Premier League, and expect Farke to be building the team around players like Tanaka.
But if he enjoys a good season in the Premier League next year then he could quickly have links elsewhere. And speaking earlier in the year, Stuart Dallas predicted that Tanaka could leave Leeds United.
He said: “He is the best signing in the Championship this season, just incredible. He’s perfect for the way Leeds want to play. I really do think even if they do go up, they’ll struggle to hold onto him.”
But if he does come onto other clubs’ radar then he’ll no doubt fetch a very large fee, and make for a huge profit on what the club signed him for last summer. Right now though there’s no sign of Tanaka going anywhere any time soon.
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