Ao Tanaka has been reflecting on his impressive first year at Leeds United, expressing his joy at the success of his debut season. The Japanese international, who is set to participate in next year’s World Cup, shared his initial surprise at the scale of Leeds United’s fanbase and recounted a memorable experience that highlighted the club’s popularity.
Ao Tanaka said: “Leeds’ popularity is incredible. In the sports shop at London airport, there were uniforms of Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds lined up. I didn’t understand that (laughs)! In terms of the club’s history, size and the players they have produced, everyone says that after the Big Six, it will be Leeds, Newcastle and Everton. The supporters are really people of all ages and genders, and the home stadium is always full.”
Tanaka quickly became a fan favorite at Leeds, with supporters often serenading him with chants of ‘A-O!’. He expressed his delight at the affection from the fans and the unique experience of hearing his name sung by the masses during the promotion parade.
Tanaka explained: “There are only chants for five or six individual players, but for some reason my song has been there from the beginning. I was so happy.”
Despite experiencing a dip in form towards the end of the season, Tanaka remained a key player under manager Daniel Farke, who consistently praised him while urging him to maintain his performance levels. The midfielder faced challenges, including a brief slip in form that coincided with a difficult period for Leeds, who fell to third place after a draw with Luton Town marked only one win in six games. However, a subsequent victory over Middlesbrough sparked a winning streak, during which Tanaka was emotionally overwhelmed due to fatigue.
Tanaka admitted: “I want to do my best, but it’s so tough when I can’t muster any energy. I thought that the drop in [team] performance was within the acceptable range. I thought, ‘it’s OK to do poorly in one game, as long as the team wins, it doesn’t matter if I’m bad’.”
Tanaka also shared insights into his tactical discussions with Farke, who encouraged him to balance his defensive duties with goal-scoring opportunities. This approach led Tanaka to score five goals during the season, each showcasing his skill and precision.
Tanaka said: “I would have liked to have a few more, but honestly, I think five goals as an anchor was good.”
Reflecting on his season, Tanaka expressed satisfaction with his fitness, having avoided injuries and covered more distance than at his previous clubs. He also appreciated the serene environment of the training ground, which allowed him to focus on his development.
