Leeds United fans know all about what Ao Tanaka is capable of ahead of the Premier League, but more proof of his credentials have come in Arsenal star Declan Rice’s big praise.
The jump up in quality for Leeds between the top of the Championship and the bottom of the Premier League is huge and requires plenty of recruitment over the coming months.
However, Leeds wouldn’t have been able to pick up 100 points, score 95 goals and concede just 30 without having some individuals more than capable of making the step up.
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Arsenal star Declan Rice raves about Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka
Ao Tanaka is probably one of the first names you think of out of the Championship when looking at who is Premier League quality, and it’s not just Leeds fans who appreciate his talents.
(Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s star midfielder Declan Rice has been an avid watcher of the EFL this season, in his own words, and with Leeds on more often than not, he’s been wowed by Tanaka’s performances.
“There’s a few good players, there’s a guy at Leeds he’s an unbelievable player,” Rice told Harry Sugiyama on Weekly World Soccer.
“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.”
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Proof of Leeds United boasting Premier League quality in their squad with Ao Tanaka
You could see it from the early stages of Tanaka coming off the bench before our midfield injury crisis that he was not only too good for the Championship, but also capable of playing in the Premier League.
Aside from five goals and two assists, Tanaka’s intelligence has left Elland Road purring time and again this season, two steps ahead of a pressing opposition player often before he’s even touched the ball.
The fact that a £105million footballer is already looking forward to seeing what Tanaka can do in the division above speaks volumes of the player we have on our hands, and for a bargain price at £2.95million.
It might well be a tough season for Tanaka and Leeds, but if the 49ers can find a few low-value gems like the Japan midfielder, they could be able to shock the top flight.