Interesting Ao Tanaka development emerges at Leeds United...

The engine room at Leeds United is currently experiencing a change as a result of Joe Rothwell leaving for Rangers.

After returning from AFC Bournemouth to Leeds United on loan, he signed a three-year contract at Ibrox and

transferred permanently to the Scottish powerhouse.

Many Leeds supporters are intrigued by Rothwell’s move to Rangers and his potential as his new team attempts to

defeat Celtic to the championship for the first time in more than five years.

Daniel Farke’s team has been looking for a replacement because Leeds will have Ao Tanaka, Ilia Gruev, and Ethan

Ampadu as their deeper midfielders for the upcoming Premier League campaign.

Ao Tanaka is primed for a change at Leeds United

Tanaka is a fantastic footballer, as exemplified by Tanaka’s Championship award nomination recently. Having

played in the 2. Bundesliga previously, next season will be his first test of top flight football in a major league.

Given his brilliance in possession and his resistance to the press, it’s safe to say that he and Ampadu are regarded by

most as two of the team’s most Premier League-ready players.

Tanaka is a player who will help Leeds construct their team for the upcoming campaign because of this. Preseason

training starts on Monday, although Tanaka has been enjoying his vacation with Joel Piroe in Japan up to this point.

Tanaka will wear Leeds’ new uniform for the upcoming campaign, but he may possibly receive a new shirt number

once Rothwell departs. Leeds has already made references to leaving No. 22 soon.

Following the introduction of the kit, Poppy Smith, a Twitter/X user, stated that, unlike Ampadu and Dan James, it

is not final. The topic of what Tanaka will do next is then raised.

He has worn Japan’s No. 17 shirt exclusively. But the player currently holding that for Leeds is Largie Ramazani.

He began his club career with Kawasaki Frontale at number 32 before moving to number 25. Tanaka gave birth to

Ethan Ampadu’s four for Fortuna Dusseldorf, so if that’s what he wants, he won’t be getting it anytime soon.

However, his prior 25 will be available if Sam Byram leaves on a free. He might also decide to wear Rothwell’s empty

eight before any new midfield players are added.

The eight might be the best option for Tanaka next season because he can play in a more natural box-to-box role

alongside Ampadu, the deeper of the two, for assaults.

While Josh Windass of Sheffield Wednesday says Tanaka was his most challenging opponent in 2024–2025,

England and Arsenal player Declan Rice enjoys watching Tanaka.

If his performances hold up, the 26-year-old may be a major force in the Premier League. Even if Ampadu’s

strengths and Anton Stach’s skill set might compliment him well in some games, it remains to be seen how

frequently he starts if there are additions.

Tanaka’s size and physique for the upcoming season are the main causes for concern. He stood out from the others

in the Championship thanks to his technical skill, but it won’t be as much of an advantage in the top flight.

As a result, some games might be better suited for a Tanaka and Ampadu/Stach combination, while others might

require the latter to screen the defenders due to their superior size and physical strength.