{"id":427392,"date":"2025-09-15T22:52:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T22:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/427392\/"},"modified":"2025-09-15T22:52:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T22:52:12","slug":"ao-tanaka-pinpoints-the-moment-he-finally-gained-the-trust-of-his-leeds-united-teammates-after-difficult-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/427392\/","title":{"rendered":"Ao Tanaka pinpoints the moment he finally gained the trust of his Leeds United teammates after difficult start"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ao Tanaka\u2019s Leeds United career saw him join just before the fourth matchday of the campaign, and he did not start a game until the eighth matchday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leeds United<\/a> signed Ao Tanaka<\/a> when he had already made four appearances for Fortuna Dusseldorf that season. Tanaka arrived from Dusseldorf for just \u00a33.4 million<\/a>\u00a0after some strong seasons in the 2. Bundesliga.<\/p>\n

He only came into the team last season following Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev getting injuries in back-to-back games against Norwich City and Coventry City, with the Japanese midfielder and Joe Rothwell locking things down in the engine room for two months.<\/p>\n

Tanaka has hinted no promotion would have seen him exit Leeds<\/a> \u2014 and it\u2019s fair to say things got dicey for Leeds during that period, with their midfield options stretched so thin for 12 Championship fixtures in succession.<\/p>\n

\"LeedsPhoto by Ed Sykes\/Sportsphoto\/Allstar via Getty ImagesAo Tanaka explains how it was to break into Leeds\u2019 team under Daniel Farke<\/p>\n

Once Tanaka established himself in the team, he ended up starting 37 of the next 39 Championship games. English football\u2019s second tier is the highest club level that the 27-year-old has played at, until now.<\/p>\n

Tanaka\u2019s Championship award nominations<\/a>\u00a0were richly deserved, with the 27-year-old the player becoming the heartbeat of Daniel Farke\u2019s team after some patience. However, Tanaka has admitted his nerves were intense for Leeds<\/a> in the run-in since.<\/p>\n

That was also why\u00a0Tanaka was in the PFA Team of the Season<\/a>\u00a0recently alongside four other teammates at Leeds. The Japanese international was also named as the Player\u2019s Player of the Season at Leeds, despite Dan James winning the fan award.<\/p>\n

Tanaka was spotted holidaying with Joel Piroe<\/a>\u00a0in Japan this summer. It was during that time where he took part in an interview with\u00a0GOAL<\/a>, who have revealed the midfielder\u2019s thoughts on how he broke into the first-team to become a regular.<\/p>\n

MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cFirst of all, when I joined the team, I was determined to get promoted. However, to be honest, I didn\u2019t think I\u2019d be able to play in so many games. I joined at the last minute, so with consecutive games and international breaks, I didn\u2019t have many opportunities to practice properly at first.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, I was able to practice properly for about two weeks before the international break in October, which made me think, \u2018I can do it here too\u2019. Of course, the level was incredibly high, and at first I thought it was completely different.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut at the same time, I was confident that I could make it as a starter. I was waiting for my chance, thinking, \u2018I\u2019ll be able to do it if I play\u2019, and then, due to an injury, I was able to make it as a starter.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the first two or three games, my teammates didn\u2019t know me well, so I played a little too safely, but after I was able to play to a certain extent in the top-of-the-table match against Sheffield United in October, I think I gained their trust. <\/p>\n

\u201cFrom there, it felt like things were going smoothly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tanaka has posted emotional social media messages<\/a>\u00a0in recent weeks, which outline his feelings on moving to the top flight of one of Europe\u2019s major leagues at last.\u00a0However, it\u2019s safe to say he earned it following incredible performances last season.<\/p>\n

\"LeedsPhoto by Robbie Jay Barratt \u2013 AMA\/Getty ImagesHow Daniel Farke convinced Ao Tanaka to join Leeds<\/p>\n

Farke convinced Tanaka to come to Leeds<\/a>, with the midfielder\u2019s agent sharing how that came about back in December of last year, stating: \u201cLeeds explained the project to Ao Tanaka very precisely. <\/p>\n

\u201cDaniel Farke showed him that he is the type of player Leeds needs. Leeds offered him an ideal platform to develop. A look at the data also shows this.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to give Farke a lot of praise. He recognized exactly what skills Ao has. That doesn\u2019t mean German clubs didn\u2019t recognise this potential. Move to a Bundesliga club didn\u2019t work out for a variety of reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Daniel Farke on Ao ‘Tiger’ Tanaka:<\/p>\n

“Tiger Tanaka can do everything. Unbelievable signing. Quality with and without the ball is outstanding. Not played in a top league yet. Delivers like this in a shirt so heavy is outstanding. Character is relaxed and laid back.”#lufc<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/AhHrvZgaKs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Leeds United News (@leeds_utd_news) November 27, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

Given the comments above from November last year, as we shared on social media, the respect and feeling between the pair is absolutely reciprocated. Leeds have a gem on their hands with Tanaka.<\/p>\n