Leeds United star Ao Tanaka 'ready for Premier League step up already'

Ao Tanaka already looks ready to step up to the Premier League just months after joining Leeds United, Lee Hendrie has claimed.

The midfielder only moved to Elland Road late in this summer’s transfer window, when he signed from German side Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Since then the Japanese international has made himself key for Daniel Farke’s side as they push for promotion from the Championship with some excellent performances.

He again impressed in a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday (10 December) that saw Leeds return to the top of the table, including with an excellent late assist for Brenden Aaronson to seal the win.

That has now convinced Hendrie that Tanaka is already capable of playing in the top-flight. Speaking about that game on Sky Sports Soccer Special (7:38pm), the former Aston Villa midfielder said: “This was a brilliant game, could have gone either way, but I think when Leeds had to really step it up they did.

“This finish [second goal] it was superb from Dan James. He’s a different level in the Championship [when] you get him on the ball, you’ve got Gnonto on that left-hand side.

“Tanaka by the way, the lad in midfield, for me he can take the step up. I mean have a look at his touch [assist for Aaronson’s third], this is a defensive midfield and he’s won the ball back on the half-way line and then that’s 90th minute.

“They have got everything at home, plus the fans there. The only concern is their away form hasn’t been anywhere near. If they can get that going they can start to cruise away.”

Ao Tanaka claims highlight importance of promotion to Leeds United

Football Insider Opinion

There is plenty at stake for everyone connected with the club as they pursue promotion to the Premier League this season, and these comments about Tanaka reinforce that.

Hendrie is certainly not going to be the only one to have noticed how well the midfielder has been playing this season, and he could soon start to attract interest from elsewhere.

If Leeds do not secure promotion to the Premier League during the current campaign, it could make it hard to keep hold of the Japanese midfielder.

Other top-flight sides may well share the same sentiment as Hendrie, and their financial strength could see them make offers that are hard for the Whites to refuse if they do not go up.

A move to leave Leeds to play in the top-flight could also appeal to Tanaka if his miss out on promotion.

Given how important he has been to Daniel Farke’s side so far this season, it would be a major blow for them to lose him in the summer after just one campaign.

Injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev threatened to derail the campaign, but Tanaka and Bournemouth loanee Joe Rothwell have stepped in and impressed.

As a result, this situation is one that provides another subplot to the club’s pursuit of a place in the Premier League in the next few months.

In other news, Leeds fans have made a prediction about Dan James after his performance against Middlesbrough.

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