Many Leeds United fans who closely followed the summer transfer window from last year will see a lot of similarities with this season. Last summer, Daniel Farke was gearing up for another promotion battle.
Leeds had narrowly missed out on promotion after losing the play-off final to Southampton. The Whites had lost Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Georginio Rutter. Daniel Farke asked for reinforcements and only got Jayden Bogle early in the window. With weeks to go before the deadline, the Leeds boss made his concerns about the transfers public, which lead to a late flurry of signings.
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This summer, a similar thing happened, just that the Whites failed to make any significant additions on deadline day.
Farke pushed to sign Manor Solomon and Ao Tanaka, two players who played a huge part last season.
QUIZ: Can you name the Leeds game these 10 goal celebrations are from?
Ao Tanaka narrates start to life at Elland Road
Ao Tanaka
Credit: Imago Images
Daniel Farke used his knowledge of German football to help him land the Japanese international. He flew in under the radar, and it took some time for him to adjust. Tanaka arrived after four league games, and only started a game on the eighth matchday.
When he finally touched the pitch, Leeds fans saw what he was all about – a dynamic midfielder with a unique skillset to dominate games. Tanaka was a revelation at the club and ended up being voted the players’ player of the season. Speaking to GOAL this past summer, the midfielder narrated how he became a part of the starting lineup:
“First of all, when I joined the team, I was determined to get promoted. However, to be honest, I didn’t think I’d be able to play in so many games. I joined at the last minute, so with consecutive games and international breaks, I didn’t have many opportunities to practice properly at first.
“However, I was able to practice properly for about two weeks before the international break in October, which made me think, ‘I can do it here too’. Of course, the level was incredibly high, and at first I thought it was completely different.
“But at the same time, I was confident that I could make it as a starter. I was waiting for my chance, thinking, ‘I’ll be able to do it if I play’, and then, due to an injury, I was able to make it as a starter.”
Now, the midfielder is highly rated as one of the best players at Leeds. What a turnaround for a bargain signing from Germany’s second tier.
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