Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Wed 8 April 2026 11:10, UK

Leeds United must finally give Ao Tanaka more time to strut his stuff in the Premier League amid speculation over his future.

Tanaka joined Leeds from Fortuna Düsseldorf in August 2024 without much fanfare, but by the end of the season, he had become an Elland Road favourite.

Indeed, the Japan international was voted Leeds Players’ Player of the Year for the 2024–25 season and was named in the Championship Team of the Season, too, as Daniel Farke‘s men earned promotion to the Premier League.

Leeds fans couldn’t wait to see what he could do in the English top-flight, but the 27-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign thus far.

Leeds midfielder Tanaka is said to be attracting transfer interest from teams in and out of the Premier League, but it is far too soon to cut ties with the Japanese star just yet.

Patience needed with Ao Tanaka

Just a few months into his Leeds career, The Athletic described Tanaka as “undroppable”. This term, however, Farke has had no qualms about dropping the ex-Kawasaki Frontale man.

After starting Leeds’ first two games of the season, a ligament issue sidelined him for a couple of matches, and then Tanaka had to make do with cameo outings for weeks.

Tanaka returned to the starting line-up in late October against West Ham, and then he scored in back-to-back matches against Chelsea and Liverpool.

But after a poor display against Brentford in mid-December, Farke has tended to shy away, with Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach, and sometimes Ilia Gruev preferred in the centre of the park.

That has sometimes led to a lack of creativity in midfield, as Tanaka seemed to suffer without a consistent run of games.

James Justin showed you can deliver off the bench, though, as Tanaka and Wilfried Gnonto, among others, flattered to deceive as substitutes.

Tanaka hasn’t started a Premier League game since 28 December, so for some, it was a surprise to see him line up against West Ham in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

But his goalscoring display shows he adds something to this Leeds team. His quick feet, poise, and finesse were self-evident for his opener at London Stadium.

Farke still doesn’t seem to trust him to the hilt, as he was hooked after 69 minutes against the Hammers. But Tanaka has an undeniable quality. He is not the quickest or the strongest, but technically, he is very sound.

Brenden Aaronson previously said confidence is key in football. If Tanaka is given a run of games, you may see him step up once more for their relegation battle.

It just seems he has more to give and letting him go would be premature.

Injuries open the door for Tanaka

Tanaka has been linked with a Leeds exit, but it seems the midfielder wants to stay and fight for his place at the Yorkshire outfit.

His contract runs until 2028, so if Leeds do decide to move him on, they may still be able to get a decent fee for him.

But in the here and now, Tanaka may get more game time as fellow midfielder Stach suffered an ankle ligament injury in the win over West Ham.

Leeds are next in action away at Manchester United next Monday. If the German doesn’t recover in time, Tanaka certainly has a good case of starting at Old Trafford.

And what a place to make a statement of intent than against your fierce rivals.