Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka has taken to life at Leeds United extremely well, but he has lost his place in the starting lineup in the Premier League.
The Japanese midfielder has had a stop-start to Premier League life with Leeds United. Ao Tanaka was magnificent last season, though, with most considering him one of the Championship’s best players.
Tanaka signed from Fortuna Dusseldorf for just £3.4 million after a few strong seasons in the 2. Bundesliga in Germany. He dazzled in his first season in England, which was also why Tanaka was in the PFA Team of the Season.
However, Ethan Ampadu and Tanaka have had injuries in midfield this season. The 27-year-old has not quite looked his best since, and Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach have impressed to the extent they have retained their roles, just ahead of Ampadu as number eights.
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Ao Tanaka’s view of former school friend Kaoru Mitoma
Tanaka loves playing with Joe Rodon and the Japanese Leeds midfielder admitted he was nervous during the run-in. It meant leaning on those senior players to help him through. But adapting to the top flight won’t be so simple.
In fact, Tanaka made a mistake against Bournemouth from the bench in the build-up to their equaliser. Since then, Graham Smyth is worried about Tanaka after the Bournemouth mistake.
He’s still a valuable player this season, with his composure and press-resistance likely to be crucial at various points. They are fortunate to have him, as Tanaka has hinted he would have left Leeds had they not been promoted to the Premier League.
That said, he is not the only Japanese player in the division, which means Tanaka will face some international teammates. He has been praising those past and present for the Premier League as well.
Speaking via the Premier League’s official Instagram, Tanaka reacted to famous goals in the English top flight from fellow Japanese stars. Some may not know, but Tanaka was in the school year below Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma.
Mitoma thinks Tanaka will step up to the Premier League. However, on Mitoma’s Goal of the Season against Chelsea in 2024/25, Tanaka responded: “Already five, five five [stars]! The best goal in the world.
“I think, if I can control the ball, I am so satisfied. Yeah, it’s unbelievable.”
He also reacted to Shinji Okazaki and Takumi Minamino, with the former being called a “legend” for what he did for Leicester City. Hidetoshi Nakata of Bolton Wanderers was also on the reel as part of Tanaka’s reaction.
Ao Tanaka explains why he is desperate to face Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma
Tanaka took a holiday with Joel Piroe in Japan this summer. It was during that time where he took part in an interview with GOAL and it was published a few weeks ago, where he was asked if there are any teams or players he would like to face this season.
He said: It would have to be Kaoru. It might be the first and last time in my life. We’ve only ever played on the same team up until now. If that were to happen, I’d probably go to the right side a lot.
“But I think Kaoru would know that and pass the ball to me instead of attacking. Because Kaoru doesn’t get worked up. So he’ll only attack the moment it’s one-on-one. I can already tell that (laughs). It’d be fun.
“I’ve known Kaoru since elementary school, but there aren’t many people I’ve played football with, so I’m really excited to think that I might actually be playing against someone like him in the Premier League.
“I’m also looking forward to playing against Wataru [Endo]. I want to experience just how amazing he is at Liverpool and how much pressure he exerts.
“I’ve only ever played against him in national team training, so I’m curious to see what it will be like playing against him. I’m looking forward to that too.”
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