Sheffield Wednesday star Josh Windass reveals the Leeds United player who was the best he played against this season.

 

Sheffield Wednesday’s Josh Windass has revealed that Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka is the best player he’s faced in the Championship this season.

The 31-year-old’s contract extension has kept him at Hillsborough for another season. He had one of his best seasons as an Owls player.

Windass, a versatile forward, scored 13 goals and five assists in 44 Championship appearances in 2024/25, his highest league goal total in a single season since joining Wednesday in 2020.

“Clever player” – Sheffield Wednesday star Josh Windass drops his best player claim on Leeds United’s Ao Tanaka

On May 19, Windass hosted a short Q&A session with his Instagram followers via his story.

One follower asked the Wednesday Star, “Who is the best opposing player in the Championship this season?”

In response to that question, the former Wigan, Rangers, and Accrington Stanley player said: “Probably (Ao) Tanaka.” “Clever player.”

Sheffield Wednesday and Windass both suffered defeats to Leeds United this season, losing 2-0 at Hillsborough and 3-0 at Elland Road.

Tanaka, who was not a Whites player at the time of Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat on 23 August, scored Leeds’ third goal in the 96th minute on 19 January.

 

Windass, and indeed the Championship as a whole, will undoubtedly be glad to see the back of Ao Tanaka

Tanaka, who joined Leeds United for £2.95 million from Fortuna Düsseldorf in August, appears to be one of the best deals in recent years.

During his debut season in English football, the industrious yet silky central midfielder covered every single blade of grass in every Championship stadium he entered, and he was the metronome in the heart of Daniel Farke’s team.

Tanaka’s 89.9 per cent passing accuracy ranked him in the top 93.4 percentile of Championship central midfielders this past season, whilst his 3,159 touches and 54 interceptions ranked him in the top 95.9 percentiles in both categories – per FotMob.

The 26-year-old midfielder played a crucial role in Leeds United’s title-winning campaign, contributing seven direct goals and dominating individual battles.

In truth, he has looked every bit the Premier League-standard central midfielder this season, and he will now have the opportunity to prove it in the top flight in 2025/26.

As a result, it’s fair to say that Windass, and every Championship player and manager, will be relieved they won’t have to prepare for Tanaka next season.