Leeds United are a side who look to be edging closer to ending their two-year stint away from the Premier League, with Daniel Farke doing an excellent job at Elland Road.
The German is no stranger to success in the Championship after previously winning the division twice during his previous stint in charge at Norwich City.
However, he will be looking to add another title to his impressive CV, currently boasting a two-point lead over third-placed Burnley with just eight league games remaining this campaign.
His success in Yorkshire has been made all the more impressive given the high-profile departures from his side over the last few years, with Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville just two attacking stars to depart.
One other star left the Whites before Farke arrived in 2023, taking his career to new heights after his big-money move away from the club – now starring at the top level of European football.
Raphinha’s stats during his time at Leeds United
Brazilian winger Raphinha joined Leeds in a £17m deal from French outfit Stade Rennais in the summer of 2020, looking to add quality to the first-team ahead of their return to the Premier League.
He would star in his first year at the club, notching six goals and nine assists, before playing a pivotal role in their survival during the 2021/22 season – helping the Whites maintain their top-flight status.
The 28-year-old scored in the final day triumph over Brentford, an outing that would be his final one for the club, before joining Barcelona in a £55m deal – the most expensive departure in their history.
Raphinha has since taken his career to new heights, registering 47 goals and 41 assists over the last three years in Spain, currently sitting as the top scorer in this year’s Champions League.
His time at the club and his form after leaving highlight how impressive he has been, but one other player has since arrived in Yorkshire, taking the title as the best signing since the Brazilian.
The player who’s been Leeds’ best signing since Raphinha
Since dropping into the Championship, Leeds have made numerous impressive additions that have massively aided their attempts to return to the top-flight.
Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Jayden Bogle have all cemented their place in Farke’s backline, showcasing how impressive they have been since their respective moves to Elland Road in recent months.
However, midfielder Ao Tanaka undoubtedly takes the title of the club’s best signing since Raphinha, exceeding all expectations – especially after arriving in Yorkshire as an unknown quantity.
The Japanese international cost just £3.5m from German side Fortuna Düsseldorf, an absolute bargain given his form in the Whites’ first-team this campaign – leading to Opta Statman Jonny Cooper labelling him as “exceptional”.
He’s made 35 appearances in the second tier to date, scoring four times, with his most important coming in the promotion clash with Sheffield United, edging the side ahead late on.
His underlying stats from 2024/25 are just as impressive, completing 90% of the passes he’s attempting to date, whilst also winning 60% of the tackles he’s entered, cementing his place at the heart of the side.
Games played
35
Goals & assists
6
Pass accuracy
90%
Tackles won
60%
Duels won
5.5
Duel success rate
57%
Recoveries made
6.1
After such consistent showings, there’s no denying the 26-year-old is now worth a huge amount more than the fee forked out for his signature a couple of months ago, highlighting the superb work done by the hierarchy in the market.
Tanaka’s ability at both ends of the pitch has certainly enabled Farke’s side to be in the current position they find themselves in, undoubtedly being one of the division’s signings of the season.
He’s now more than capable of taking his career to the next level in the Premier League, with the supporters undoubtedly hoping that he’s able to do so with the Whites next season.
The sky is the limit for the midfielder, potentially being the next big-money sale out of Elland Road in the next couple of years, following in the footsteps of Raphinha in having the tools to star at the top level of the European game.
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