Leeds United have conducted some phenomenal pieces of business in the transfer market over the last couple of years, aiding Daniel Farke’s attempts of taking the club back to the Premier League.
Dropping back into the Championship was a huge disappointment for the Whites, but the German has done an excellent job of building a side capable of challenging for promotion.
Manor Solomon arrived on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, with the club bagging themselves a top-flight level talent to bolster their attack in 2024/25.
The Israeli international has produced the goods consistently this campaign, notching a total of seven goals and seven assists, helping the club sit top of the table.
However, his limelight has often been stolen by another player who has thrived beyond all imagination after his summer move to Elland Road in 2024.
Ao Tanaka’s stats for Leeds United in 2024/25
Japanese international Ao Tanaka joined Leeds in a £3.5m deal from German outfit Fortuna Düsseldorf, with not many knowing what to expect, arriving as an unknown quantity.
However, when he got his chance as a regular starter, he took it with both hands, now being an integral part of Farke’s side’s success throughout this campaign.
The 26-year-old has started 30 times in the Championship this campaign, notching four goals and two assists, but it’s his underlying stats that have been even more impressive.
The central midfielder has registered a 90% pass completion rate, whilst winning 1.7 tackles per 90 and making 1.6 interceptions per game – being the perfect box-to-box option at the heart of the Whites side.
There’s no denying that he’s a strong contender for the division’s signing of the season award, but one other first-team member has greatly impressed, often being caught in Tanaka’s shadow given his form in Yorkshire.
The Leeds star who could battle Tanaka for the signing of the season
After failing to win promotion in the play-off final last season, it was pivotal Leeds came back with a vengeance to write the wrongs, but also bolstered the squad to increase their chances of promotion.
However, the defeat saw numerous big-money talents depart the club, including academy graduate Archie Gray, who operates out-of-position for large spells, featuring on the right-hand side of the Whites’ backline.
Such a transfer may have injected huge money into the club, but saw them lose one of their key components to why they were so successful during Farke’s maiden campaign.
Despite the sale, such worries have been pushed aside, with Jayden Bogle nailing down the right-back role this season after his £5m move from Sheffield United last summer.
The 24-year-old has featured in 36 of the 38 league outings in 2024/25, having a real positive impact at both ends of the pitch, providing the quality that was needed in such an area.
He’s managed to register five goals and two assists despite his defensive position, with his latest effort coming in the 2-2 draw with QPR before the international break.
However, defensively he’s been just as impressive, winning 62% of the tackles he’s entered to date, whilst also winning a staggering 5.9 duels per 90, helping the club boast the second-best defensive record in the division.
Games played
36
Goals & assists
7
Pass accuracy
76%
Tackles won
62%
Duels won
5.9
Duel success rate
53%
Times dribbled past
0.8
Bogle, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one analyst, has come out on top in 53% of those duels, with his defensive solidity being demonstrated by being dribbled past less than once per 90 across 36 matches.
His fee, coupled with his ability to slot in and seamlessly nail down the position is what has made his time at Elland Road so impressive, certainly going under the radar.
If it wasn’t for Tanaka’s form in Yorkshire, the full-back would certainly be a huge favourite for the award, still having bags of time to improve further under Farke’s guidance.
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