Leeds United needed urgent midfield reinforcements in the summer after losing key players Archie Gray and Glen Kamara, but the club has no regrets with how their new signings, Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka, have performed.
Daniel Farke faced a tough challenge during the transfer window when both Gray and Kamara were sold to top-flight clubs, bringing in a combined £48.4 million. With the midfield suddenly weakened, Leeds knew they had to reinvest the funds wisely.
The club was linked with numerous midfield targets, but they ultimately opted for Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka, both of whom have exceeded expectations since arriving at Elland Road. The pair have proven to be solid additions, offering dynamism, creativity, and solid defensive work in the center of the park, and at a fraction of the cost of some of the other targets Leeds were linked with.
When Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev were both ruled out until the new year, it seemed like a significant setback for Daniel Farke and Leeds United. With two of the club’s most important midfielders sidelined, it appeared as if Leeds’ hopes of mounting a promotion push were slipping away. However, in a turn of events that few anticipated, Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka have stepped up in a big way.
Despite the early concerns, the duo has proven to be invaluable, with their combined cost of just £2.95 million turning out to be a masterstroke. The pair has become one of the most effective midfield combinations in the Championship, with their energy, tactical awareness, and ability to control the game from the middle of the park making a huge difference.
For Tanaka, it’s been a long-awaited moment. Initially targeted last summer, the Japan international has finally found his feet at Elland Road, and his performances have made him a fan favorite. He was even awarded Leeds United’s Player of the Month for October, a testament to how quickly he’s adapted and excelled in the English game.
While Ampadu and Gruev’s absence created a vacuum, it’s clear that Rothwell and Tanaka have risen to the occasion, providing the stability and dynamism needed to keep Leeds’ promotion aspirations alive.
Tanaka wasn’t initially Leeds United’s first choice in the summer transfer window, and it’s interesting to consider how things could have played out differently if their primary target had been secured. While on their pre-season tour, Leeds made an ambitious bid for FC Köln’s key midfielder, Dejan Ljubicic. The offer was reportedly turned down, and despite the interest, Leeds never returned with an improved bid.
Had they succeeded in signing Ljubicic, the dynamic in midfield would likely have been very different. The Austrian international, known for his powerful presence and ability to dictate play, could have provided a different balance to the squad. However, with the deal falling through, Leeds turned to Tanaka, who has quickly proved to be a revelation in the Championship.
In hindsight, Tanaka’s performances since joining have not only made him a fan favorite but also raised questions about whether Leeds got the better deal in the end. Despite not being their first choice, the Japan international’s impact has been undeniable, showing that sometimes a backup option can turn out to be just as valuable—if not more so—than the initial target.
Dejan Ljubicic’s asking price of £6million would have made him nearly double the cost of Leeds United’s current midfield duo, Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka, who were brought in for a combined £2.95million. While Ljubicic has contributed two goals and two assists so far this season, suggesting he could have added value to Leeds’ midfield, the technical quality of Rothwell and Tanaka has proven to be a key factor in their current dominance in the Championship.
Rothwell and Tanaka bring a level of finesse and adaptability that has helped Leeds control the tempo in matches and dictate play with impressive precision. While Ljubicic’s output might have been useful, the pair Leeds signed seem to offer more in terms of overall technical ability and versatility—traits that have been crucial in helping Daniel Farke’s men rise to the top of the Championship table.
Ultimately, Leeds may have avoided a potential overspend, with Rothwell and Tanaka looking like a far more balanced and dynamic duo in midfield, reinforcing the idea that sometimes less is more when it comes to value in the transfer market.