Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has waxed lyrical about Leeds United and Japan star Ao Tanaka.
Leeds are going to have to make numerous improvements to their side in order to match the quality of Premier League sides next season, it goes without saying.
However, one man who’s looked Premier League quality from his first touch in Leeds colours is midfielder Ao Tanaka.
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Arsenal’s Declan Rice wowed by Leeds United star Ao Tanaka
The Japan international impressed Leeds fans with his first cameo off the bench at home to Hull City early in the campaign, popping the ball off with ease despite pressure, and his technique in midfield proved to be a cut above the Championship consistently throughout the campaign.
Ao Tanaka awarded the Players’ Player of the Season and Goal of the Season at Leeds United. (Photo by Malcolm Bryce/Leeds United via Getty Images)
Leeds’ hopes of keeping Tanaka’s incredible talent a secret have been dashed though, as one of the Premier League’s most valuable players, Arsenal star Declan Rice, has been raving about Tanaka’s performances this season.
Interviewed by Harry Sugiyama on Weekly World Soccer, shared on X by @saku3169, Rice discussed Leeds’ bargain signing:
“There’s a few good players, there’s a guy at Leeds he’s an unbelievable player.
“He’s a top player, I’ve seen him play. Obviously as the Championship gets shown on the TV all the time and Leeds are a massive club, so it’s good to have them back in the Premier League.
“But I know he’s been like their Player of the Season, and when I watch him play, he’s a really good player, really energetic, really good on the ball.
“And then you see Japan at the World Cup, and stuff like that, they’re a really good team, hard to beat, and Japanese football is massive.”
Ao Tanaka is set to take turn heads in the Premier League with Leeds United
Staying in the division next season is going to be an uphill battle, but one man definitely ready for it is Tanaka.
He was too good for the Championship and the fact we signed him for £2.95million is more absurd with every performance he puts in.
For someone of Rice’s calibre to be blown away by his quality shows you exactly what we’ve got on our hands in Tanaka.