Ao Tanaka Reveals His Leeds United 24/25 Player of the Season

Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka has revealed his personal choice for the club’s Player of the Season award from last year—and it wasn’t Dan James.

James officially claimed the accolade after an impressive campaign, but Tanaka believes centre-back Joe Rodon was the true standout performer for Leeds.

Joe Rodon’s Impressive Season at Leeds

Rodon joined Leeds from Tottenham Hotspur in a £10 million move last summer after spending the previous season on loan at Elland Road. The Welsh international proved to be a defensive mainstay, making 46 appearances in the Championship during the 2023/24 season and playing every single league game again last year.

Tanaka: “I Think He’s the MVP”

Speaking to GOAL, Tanaka explained why he rated the 27-year-old defender as Leeds United’s most valuable player:

"It was centre-back Joe Rodon. He played in all 46 games. I think he’s the MVP. He’s a really good player. And as I’ve said so far, you can see that playing in 46 games is really amazing. He wasn’t captain, but he was a great leader for the team.

That’s why I voted for him. He can pass the ball from the back, carry the ball, and defend. Last year, it was difficult for me to build up the play without him. He would give me the ball, look after me, and help me out. He also set the line high, so I think it was a really great performance."

Rodon’s Leadership Praised

Despite not wearing the captain’s armband, Rodon’s leadership qualities clearly left a strong impression on his teammates. Tanaka credited him with both his defensive reliability and his ability to contribute to the team’s build-up play.

With Leeds pushing for another strong season, Rodon’s consistency and leadership remain central to the team’s ambitions.