The Leeds United recruitment team are under pressure following a lacklustre transfer window, but Ao Tanaka has been one of the success stories of the club’s transfer officials. However, the midfielder almost left the club in the last transfer window.
Tanaka has been one of the best players for Leeds since joining the club last year. He was arguably the best midfielder in the Championship last season and was hugely influential in earning promotion for the Whites.
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Leeds only spent around £3m when they signed him from Fortuna Düsseldorf last year, and very in England knew what to expect from the Japanese midfielder, ahead of his scorching first season in England.
His performances in the Championship were remarkable, and he has looked at home in the Premier League, which has not come as a surprise to observers and Leeds supporters.
Can you name the team Leeds United signed these players from in the 2000s?
Ao Tanaka admitted that he could have left Leeds if they didn’t get promoted
Leeds would have seen another churn of players had they failed to get promoted, but Tanaka had given a glimpse of what could have really happened.
He admitted that there was a view that he would have played in the Premier League even if Leeds failed to get promoted to the top flight.
However, the midfielder was aware that leaving Leeds would have been complicated and therefore, he was doubly determined to ensure the Whites earn promotion.
Tanaka conceded that he had very little idea about Leeds’ history when he joined the club last year, but stressed that it didn’t take much time to realise they belonged to the Premier League.
He admitted that he does not want to feel the tension of getting promoted again in his career.
“Yes, there was. Of course, there was also the view that if I was doing so well in the games, I could move up even if we weren’t promoted”, Tanaka told Goal Japan.
“However, I was well aware that transferring isn’t easy, so I was determined to get promoted.
“Coming here really made me realise just how big a club Leeds is, which is why I wanted to get promoted.
“I didn’t really understand it before I came here. Not even the history or the atmosphere of the stadium. But once I got here, I really realised that this is a club that has to be in the Premier League.
“It’s not often you get to play football at a club with such a history. It was my first time playing football at such a club, so I felt a sense of mission and responsibility.
“So, even if we came in second or third, it would be a completely different story, and I don’t want to experience that tension again, and I don’t think I’ll ever experience it again.”
This is a warning for Leeds
Tanaka is good enough to be in many other Premier League sides, and he would not have been short of suitors if Leeds hadn’t been promoted last season.
However, his words are a warning that they could lose the hugely influential midfielder if Leeds drop back to the Championship. He is far too good to play in the second tier again.
Leeds have four points from their opening four games, which is not shabby for a team who are hoping to survive in the Premier League this season.
However, no goals from open play in four league games is a concern, and there are serious question marks over the ability of their current forwards.
Tanaka may love Leeds, but if the worst happens again, the Whites could easily lose him next summer. They have been warned.
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