Ao Tanaka is just one of the four Leeds United players at this World Cup. The other players involved are Gabriel Gudmundsson, Noah Okafor and Brenden Aaronson.
The midfielder was named in the final Japan squad for this tournament.
But there were some concerns that he would miss out, given how little playing time he got at the start of the season. Tanaka only got back into the first team in the second half of the season.
He spent the first half of the campaign behind Sean Longstaff and Ilia Gruev in the pecking order.
But he ended the season on a high, as he was key in Leeds’ FA Cup semi-final run.
Daniel Farke eventually restored him to the starting lineup and he was impressive, with key performances at Old Trafford and against Brighton.
Ao Tanaka ready to face Leeds United teammate at the World Cup
Japan have gotten four points in their first two World Cup games, but Ao Tanaka is yet to start a game in the tournament. When speaking about the competition so far, he said:
“It was big game for us because we haven’t won a lot of second games of group stages,” he told the Leeds website.
“My dream came true.
“Every Japanese player wants to play at the World Cup. That is why everyone comes to Europe to play football. We believe in ourselves and we fight all together, whoever plays.”
Japan face Sweden in their final group game on Friday, and Tanaka will be up against his Leeds United teammate Gabriel Gudmundsson.
“I am looking forward to playing against my teammate,” the midfielder added. “But I am not sure we can enjoy the moment. Our group stage is the toughest group so we will put everything for this game.”
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What happens to the midfielder next season?
Leeds are heading into their second season in the top flight.
They will have to improve upon their current options if they are to avoid relegation for another year. Daniel Farke has already mentioned how the ownership need to show ambition.
Ao Tanaka’s performances in the final months of the season have showed that he can still be a valuable option.
Farke had his reasons for benching the midfielder during the season, but hopefully Tanaka’s performances have convinced him going into next season.
To sell Ao Tanaka in this upcoming transfer window would, imo, be a grave error of judgement, unless of course they receive an offer that simply can’t be turned down.