SAD News: Leeds united has finally made up they mind by sacking Ao Tanaka just now…

November 25, 2024 philip FOOTBALL 0

There is a fair argument to be made that Ao Tanaka is actually Daniel Farke’s best signing since the German boss arrived at Leeds United in the summer of 2023.

Daniel Farke has been the manager behind the signings of Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Joel Piroe, Ilia Gruev, Jayden Bogle, Largie Ramazani and plenty of other players that have impressed at Elland Road.

But Rodon, Piroe and Ramazani all cost eight-figure fees, £10m or more. Ampadu cost an initial £7m figure with add-ons potentially taking a deal for the Welshman to £10m, Leeds have what they paid for.

Gruev and Bogle seem like bargains at this stage given they cost £5m or close to that figure. Sam Byram is another possible shout, with Stuart Dallas recently calling Byram “Mr. Reliable” after he joined on a free.

READ MORE: Dominic Matteo says Leeds need to sign a striker in January

Ao Tanaka is the best-performing midfielder in England right now

But by far and away, even after only nine Leeds starts, Japan star Ao Tanaka is Farke’s best bit of business. Farke admitted he tried to sign Tanaka in the summer of 2023, and it is clear why he wanted him at Leeds.

It is even fair to say that Tanaka is not playing in the position that Farke intended on him playing when luring him to Elland Road. At Dusseldorf, Tanaka had a hand in 12 goals during 2023-24 as a playmaker.

At Leesd, injury has seen Tanaka play a deeper role. But his stamina and combative style in a division where physicality is renowned, is impressive – especially, because he cost just £3.4m from Dusseldorf.

Incredibly, the stats show that in the month of November, there is no better player than Tanaka in the top-four divisions in England. That is according to Opta stats expert Jonny Cooper, who posted on X.

How long does Ao Tanaka have left on his Leeds United contract?

Joining on deadline day and only making his first start in the away draw at Norwich after Ampadu picked up an injury against Coventry, Tanaka has taken to life in the Championship life a knife does to butter.

Impeccable form, that has seen Tanaka named Leeds’ October Player of the Month. On Sunday, he was voted Player of the Match again. Inevitably, there is going to be interest in the 26-year-old midfielder.

Premier League clubs will be looking at Tanaka’s start to life at Leeds and will want a bit of that, especially if Leeds don’t get promoted. So, how long does Tanaka have left on his Elland Road deal after joining?

Well, Tanaka has a contract at Elland Road until the summer of 2028. He penned a four-year contract in Yorkshire a few months ago and hopefully, he remains at Leeds a whole lot further than just 2028.