Ao Tanaka won the Leeds United Players’ Player of the Season award for his stellar performances in the Championship after arriving from Fortuna Dusseldorf.
He was often the tempo setter and engine of this Leeds United team under Daniel Farke, but Ao Tanaka has left a lasting impression on many players far and wide for his 2024/25 season.
Junior Firpo has been pictured wearing a Tanaka/Japan shirt, which shows how well thought of he is within the Leeds squad, but also by opposition players this season. Josh Windass has praised Tanaka and claims he is the best opponent he has faced this season.
It’s fair to say Jayden Bogle and Tanaka are the signings of the season for Leeds but also two of the best in the Championship as a whole. They dragged Leeds through numerous games at times, as well as Dan James and Manor Solomon.
Leeds fans love Declan Rice for his Ao Tanaka praise
Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma is excited to see Tanaka in the same league and cutting it in the Premier League, while Tanaka’s agent thinks he is easily good enough for the Premier League. His quality this season has been undeniable.
Tanaka has been spotted on holiday with Joel Piroe after doing punditry work back in his home country, with Japanese TV also taking a keen interest in a midfielder in the Premier League as well.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has also watched Tanaka in the Championship. His interview with Japanese media BS11 has meant Leeds fans have fallen in love with the England international. One Leeds fan said: “Always liked declan.”
Another added: “I’ve always liked Declan Rice, nice guy.”
A further Leeds fan concurred: “Deccers knows. Tanaka is MINT.”
Ben Mattinson is an Arsenal fan, but his response explains how highly Tanaka is regarded, and why he should be able to make the step up next season.
Ao Tanaka’s Premier League credentials questioned
It is without question that Tanaka has the intelligence, the intensity, and the technical quality to have a career in the Premier League, but some at Leeds do have concerns over Tanaka’s physicality.
And it’s fair to see why when casting your mind back to how he performed away at Luton Town and also away to Portsmouth. Those types of display have been few and far between but may increase in regularity in the Premier League.
| Appearances | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow cards |
| 43 | 37 | 3,316 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
His press-resistance and composure will still shine through in moments, as will his feel for the tempo and range of passing. There’s plenty to love about Tanaka and he has earned the chance at top flight football for the first time in a major European league.
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