Liverpool and Leeds stars respond to Ao Tanaka’s ‘impossible’ message
Ao Tanaka’s achievements for Leeds United this season have been recognised by both his club and international team-mates.
Leeds are marching back into the Premier League after a season which has seen Daniel Farke‘s side break records aplenty, with 100 points achieved for the first time and 95 goals scored along the way.
Farke’s long-term future at Elland Road has been assured by Leeds chairman Paraaga Marathe after the Whites’ Championship title victory, won on the last day at Plymouth by Manor Solomon in the last minute.
Solomon’s loan move from Tottenham last summer has yielded 10 goals and 12 assists and been one of many shrewd acquisitions made by Farke at Elland Road, and Tanaka is without doubt the gold standard.
Ao Tanaka bemoans ‘detour’ after Leeds achievements
Plucked from obscurity in the 2.Bundesliga by Leeds last summer and bought from Fortuna Dusseldorf for a snip at roughly £3million, Tanaka has proven to be a revelation in United’s midfield this season.
The Japanese international slotted seamlessly into Farke’s side and soon became one of the first names on Leeds’ team-sheet, with previous regulars like Ilia Gruev forced to play their way back into contention.
Tanaka has been one of few subdued figures in Leeds’ elongated Championship title celebrations, and the 26-year-old has since posted on Instagram (7 May) to suggest he wished he’d come to LS11 sooner.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists | Yellow/Red Cards |
| Ao Tanaka | 45 | 37 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
In a post liked by Leeds team-mates Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Willy Gnonto among others, as well as Liverpool‘s Japan midfielder Wataru Endo, Tanaka said: “Season has come to an end. It was the first time I came to Europe that I felt rewarding what I had done.
“It took too long to get here and I think I took a detour. There were times when I felt like giving up, but I believe in myself no matter what I have, and I believe in myself that I have come this far.
“I just understand myself more than anyone, but I haven’t accomplished anything yet, and I’ve just finally earned the right to the starting line.
“I will try harder than ever to face myself and make the impossible within me possible.”
Tanaka the centrepiece of new-look Leeds in Premier League
Tanaka, Rodon, Ampadu and Jayden Bogle have all taken to life at Elland Road like ducks to water, and it’ll be no surprise to see the four make up the core of the side Leeds want to build next season around.
Leeds’ promotion will prove key to 49ers Enterprises’ attempts to buy Solomon permanently from Spurs, with United’s owners set to give Farke the transfer budget he’ll need to make his side a competitive one.
A tough summer and very difficult Premier League season lie ahead for Leeds, but if Farke and the 49ers can unearth more gems like Tanaka, the Peacocks will be well-placed to secure their top-flight future.