Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka has been a revelation since starting the last four games in all competitions.
The Japanese international scored against West Ham United as they beat the Hammers at the London Stadium in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, securing a starting spot in the next three Premier League games.
In the last three games, Tanaka has completed 90% of his attempted passes and created nine chances for his teammates, showing his technical and creative quality in the middle of the park.
Leeds are now unbeaten in the last ten games the Japanese star has started in all competitions. The last time they lost with him in the XI was against Manchester City 3-2 in November.
He has earned his place in the starting line-up and should remain there for the rest of the 2025/2026 campaign, as the club look to avoid relegation from the Championship.
Leeds are considering signing the Premier League star
Tanaka has breathed new life into Leeds' attack with the quality of football he provides, playing against a team built largely for the physicality of the Premier League.
As it will survive, the Whites have been given the opportunity to sign another player such as the Japanese player who can increase the technical level of the team.
According to TEAMtalk, Leeds United are one of the clubs that have been approached about a summer deal to sign attacking midfielder Harvey Elliott from Liverpool.
The report says that the Whites are one of the five teams in the Premier League that have been spoken to by the representatives of the England U-21 international player, as they are working to sell him in the next summer window.
He is currently on loan at Aston Villa, who have a £35m option to sign him permanently, but the left-footed star will return to Anfield at the end of the season.
TEAMtalk adds that Leeds are yet to decide whether they will be interested in signing him or not, meaning they are still considering a move.
How Harvey Elliott could be Leeds United's new Ao Tanaka
Tanaka has spent as much time in the starting line-up as usual this season, starting just ten top-flight games in total, as Daniel Farke has opted for durability over technical quality.
The Japan international is no brute in midfield, having missed 56 per cent in the Premier League, but his aforementioned passing accuracy and key clearances highlight the quality he can provide in possession.
Elliott has made just five Premier League appearances for Villa this season, but his form in 90 league games in 18 games for Liverpool last season shows he has the technical quality to offer, just like Tanaka.
|
24/25 PL |
Elliott for 90 |
Position vs RWs |
|---|---|---|
|
xG |
0.44 |
Top 1% |
|
Goals |
0.25 |
Top 9% |
|
xA |
0.16 |
16% higher |
|
It helps |
0.50 |
Top 3% |
|
Opportunities are created |
2.50 |
Top 5% |
|
Great opportunities have been created |
0.25 |
26% higher |
The left-footed magician, who played as a right winger and as a central midfielder for the Reds, ranked high among his peers in many key metrics, showing that he can be effective in the league.
It didn't work out for him at Villa, obviously, but Leeds could take advantage of his struggles at Villa Park by trying to sign him from Liverpool this summer, to inject more quality into the squad.
Elliott, who was once labeled “annoying” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, scored 15 goals and provided 21 assists in 149 appearances for the Reds before his loan spell at Villa, and has assisted nine goals in the Premier League as recently as the 2023/24 campaign.
No player in the current Leeds squad has scored more than five goals in the top flight for Farke's side this season, suggesting they could do with more creative additions to the squad in the summer window.
Therefore, Elliott could be a smart addition to the squad as a potential signing after his failed loan spell at Villa, as his past form for Liverpool suggests he has a lot more to offer than just a part of the Villans.
Leeds could be without a 'key player' for Chelsea's semi-final after missing training
The Whites could reach their first FA Cup final since the 1970s.
Leeds could have both Tanaka and Elliott in their squad to provide technical quality and creativity, while other wingers could provide the attributes the Premier League needs.
