One thing is undeniable - Ao Tanaka has the technical ability to thrive in the Premier League. The midfielder’s passing, tactical awareness and keep-ball abilities are evident while his control is exemplary.
At £3million, he was the Championship transfer of the season, no doubt. He made it into the EFL team of the season and was voted the players' player of the year at the end-of-season club awards evening.
Passionate, emotional and hard-working, it was easy for the fanbase to fall in love with the 26-year-old. The Japan international has also promoted a wave of growing support for Leeds in his home country.
Back on UK shores, all five of his goals had an element of magic about them as he exceeded his xG rating of 3.6. He commendably completed 89.2% of his passes and, on average, two shots every game came from phases of play in which he was involved. And 54 interceptions is a great return.
So what’s the debate here? Well, aside from the fact there is a massive jump in opposition quality between the Championship and Premier League, other statistics - and match incidents - can lead to pondering over whether he can be a regular top-flight starter just yet.
Tanaka won just under 60% of his overall duels, which indeed means he won more than he lost - but, again, against second-tier opposition while in a team that won the league, this ratio is somewhat moderate. In the 46 dribbles he faced, he only stopped half of them.
These struggles played out in the eight yellow cards he received and many feel he was lucky not to be shown a second caution in the 2-0 win over Norwich City in January. Even Daniel Farke, always praiseful of Tanaka, called his forceful tackle while on a booking a bit “naive”.
Winning 62.5% of your 40 aerial duels is nothing to be snuffed at in a rough-and-tumble Championship but those who watch Leeds regularly know ground duels became a sticking point for Tanaka. He lost the ball quite clumsily in the build up for Luton Town’s goal in early April, for example.
That was not the first time he had been bullied off the ball, though arguments are to be had over how much immediate back-up he had on such occasions. Then there were the sloppy pieces of play against Swansea City.
First was the pass out for the corner which Illan Meslier dropped, before Tanaka was beaten easily by a 35-year-old Joe Allen in the equaliser. It is true, as Farke pointed out, that this was his first time playing so many games in a single season.
Tanaka had moved from the German league where he had played 30 matches. He ended up featuring in 43 Championship matches when all was said and done. Fatigue is a viable excuse and that may become less of an issue with just 38 Premier League games to play next term.
But obviously, the intensity is more severe and legs get tired more easily, especially out of possession. Leeds will be on the back foot for large periods in games next season and so Tanaka’s defensive astuteness will be called upon more.
It is why Leeds may be mulling over a new midfielder. Ethan Ampadu will be evermore vital in the number six role as he both protects the defence and links the attack. His leadership skills and communication make the captain a dead cert starter.
Ao Tanaka celebrates with Ethan Ampadu after scoring in the win over Sheffield Wednesday (Image: PA)
While Ampadu is more physical than Tanaka, there is still worry over the muscle Leeds boast in midfield. And then there is the fact of there being starkly little Premier League experience across the middle, and none in the case of Tanaka.
It seems clear that a little more brawn needs to be added to the intelligence of Tanaka to last a full top-tier season as a regular starter. Of course, he could gain some over the summer but surely not enough to quell the doubts.
Ideally, United need a bulkier midfielder with Premier League experience to aid the progression of Tanaka, who may well become an outright starter by the end of the campaign. But from the beginning? That rests on how the summer goes.
United have other priority areas that need attending to first, namely goalkeeper and striker. Left-back could also be one if Junior Firpo does not sign a contract renewal while the left wing berth has been depleted by Manor Solomon’s return to Tottenham Hotspur.
And that’s not mentioning the number 10 role. That said, midfield should not be neglected given numbers have reduced for now with Josuha Guilavogui released and Joe Rothwell back at Bournemouth.
The Premier League surely comes too soon for 21-year-old Darko Gyabi, who performed well on loan at Plymouth Argyle last term but it still raw. How much can be spent on a new midfielder might depend on how the summer takes shape for Leeds.
If needs must then, clearly, no milk will be spilt if Tanaka has to start due to lack of esteemed recruitment. But to say there would be no risks attached might be an overstretch.
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