Eight more points. That is the maximum number of points that Leeds United need from their last four matches to guarantee their place in the Premier League next season, although seven would likely be enough due to their superior goal difference.
The Whites are five points clear of Sheffield United, who still have Burnley to play, in the Championship and are closing in on an automatic promotion place.
Daniel Farke’s side took another step towards promotion with their 2-1 win over Preston North End at Elland Road on Saturday, thanks to goals from Manor Solomon and Jayden Bogle.
With promotion on the horizon, the powers that be will be assessing the squad and preparing to build a team that can compete in the Premier League, and one player who must be kept is Ao Tanaka.
Why Leeds must keep Ao Tanaka
The Japan international, who joined from Fortuna Dusseldorf last summer, has been an exceptional performer in the Championship this season and should remain a key player next term.
Tanaka has shown his quality on the ball, with four goals and a pass completion rate of 90%, in midfield to control and dictate matches for the Whites.
He has also provided defensive strength, with 3.6 tackles and interceptions per game and a duel success rate of 56%, to protect his own goal.
Wage Burners
Football FanCast’s Wage Burners series explores the salaries of the modern-day game.
Per Capology, Tanaka currently earns £25k-per-week and has offered fantastic value for money in midfield when you consider that Illan Meslier is on £30k-per-week, and the French dud must never play for the club again.
Why Illan Meslier must never play for Leeds again
The 25-year-old flop was finally dropped by Farke after his third error that directly led to a goal this season against Swansea in a 2-2 draw last month, after pundit Jeff Stelling claimed that the player’s “confidence is shot” as a result of his mistakes.
Meslier played the first 39 matches of the Championship campaign and made three errors that directly led to goals and conceded 2.73 more than expected based on the xG of the shots against him.
Appearances
44
39
Penalties saved
0/1
1/4
Goals prevented
-4.49
-2.73
Error led to shot
1
0
Error led to goal
1
3
Aerial battles won per game
0.3
0.5
As you can see in the table above, the French dud has consistently let Leeds down at Championship level by underperforming as a shot-stopper and making too many errors.
Karl Darlow, meanwhile, has prevented 0.56 goals and not made a single direct error in his three appearances since coming into the team against Luton, providing an assured pair of hands between the sticks.
Meslier’s current contract at Elland Road is due to expire in the summer of 2026 and that makes this summer a big one for Leeds, because they either have to commit to him with a new deal or cash in on him before they lose the goalkeeper for nothing next year.
Scout Mick Brown recently told Football Insider that Leeds will “listen to offers” for the former Lorient gem, which suggests that he could be on his way out of Yorkshire ahead of next season.
With this in mind, Meslier should never play for Leeds again because Darlow has proven that he has the quality needed to help push them over the line in the final four matches of the current campaign.
Therefore, the English stopper should remain in goal for the rest of this season before Meslier is sold, and replaced, in the summer transfer window which would mean that the French dud’s last game for the club will end up being the 2-2 draw with Swansea last month.
Not Caprile: Leeds had "incredible" Meslier upgrade & let him leave for £0
Leeds had an incredible replacement for Illan Meslier and let him leave for nothing.
ByDan EmeryApr 4, 2025
Whilst it would be a sad way for him to end his Leeds career, the 25-year-old liability’s performances this season suggest that it would be the right decision, as he has not provided value for money with his £30k-per-week wages – earning more than the impressive Tanaka despite struggling throughout the campaign.