Sam Allardyce: Leeds will be relegated if they repeat what they did with Ao Tanaka
Ao Tanaka proved himself as a key player for Leeds United this term, helping the Whites win the Championship title.
The Japan international showcased his ability as a midfield metronome, notching five goals and two assists in the process.
Perhaps Tanaka’s most valuable contribution to the West Yorkshire side’s title success came in February, when he scored in a 3-1 win over then-promotion rivals Sheffield United.
The 26-year-old got himself on the scoresheet once again when Leeds hammered Bristol City 4-0 on 28 April.
Allardyce says Leeds must buy more expensive players than Tanaka to survive in the Premier League
Tanaka has proven to be a shrewd addition for the Elland Road club after joining from German second-tier side Dusseldorf last summer.
| Ao Tanaka stats | 2024/25 Championship |
| Appearances | 43 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 2 |
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Simon Grayson said: “He (Tanaka) only cost £4million, I think.”
Sam Allardyce replied: “You can’t keep going out for those, though, Simon. You can’t keep going out for the £4m (signings). If that’s the level that you want to achieve, somewhere along the line, Leeds are going to have to spend. These are where all the clubs previously have got relegated because they’ve spread the budget for maybe seven, eight, nine, 10 players and they’re not good enough.”
Leeds must spend wisely in the summer transfer window
After clinching the Championship title and winning promotion back to the Premier League, Daniel Farke must utilise the transfer window to add more quality to his ranks.
The current campaign marks the second consecutive season in which all three newly promoted teams have suffered relegation from the Premier League back to the second tier, demonstrating the increasing gulf in class between the two divisions.
That is a gap which Leeds owners, the 49ers Enterprises, will have to work hard to bridge throughout the summer transfer window.
The Elland Road faithful will be anxious to see their side add proven Premier League quality to their ranks, while Farke’s men are keen on a move for Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff.
Leeds have demonstrated that they are too good for the Championship, but surviving in the top tier is a different challenge altogether, as shown by Leicester’s struggles in the top-flight this year, after the Foxes won the second-tier title last term.