Leeds United have conducted phenomenal business over the last couple of years, helping them in their quest to secure promotion from the Championship.
Joel Piroe may have cost a small fortune at £10m in the summer of 2023, but he’s been worth every penny, scoring 29 times in his 85 games since his transfer from Swansea City.
The Dutchman currently sits as the club’s top goalscorer, showcasing his excellent form for Daniel Farke’s side, playing a key role in their success this campaign.
Such form has kept talented youngster Mateo Joseph out of the starting lineup, with Piroe easily the German’s first-choice striker after his recent form, which has seen him net six times in 2025.
He’s been joined in the side by one other player who’s been another phenomenal addition, thriving at the heart of the side and looking to be a bargain, given his cheap transfer fee.
Ao Tanaka’s stats for Leeds in 2024/25
Japanese midfielder Ao Tanaka joined Leeds for just £3.5m in the summer, looking to provide the needed squad depth in the centre of Farke’s squad.
However, he’s exceeded beyond all expectations, becoming a regular in the side, starting every Championship game of the calendar year – showcasing his rise over the last few months.
The 26-year-old has won an average of 1.7 tackles per 90 in the league throughout this season, the joint-most in the squad, with only Jayden Bogle matching his tally.
He’s also managed to win 1.5 interceptions per 90, a figure that is the highest in the Whites’ side, showcasing his crucial ability to regain possession – allowing the likes of Piroe in attacking areas.
Tanaka has also completed 90% of his passes, handing the forwards the ammunition to succeed in the final third, making him the perfect box-to-box midfielder for Farke.
However, despite his importance to the club, he’s still valued lower than one player who’s taken his career to the next level after his move away from Yorkshire.
The former Leeds star who’s worth more than Tanaka
Leeds attackers have often captured the hearts of the fanbase at Elland Road, more than likely being the stars of their success over various time periods.
Mateusz Bogusz could’ve been another player to add his name to the club’s history books, but the Polish star was unable to make a huge impact during his time in Yorkshire.
The attacking midfielder joined the Whites from Ruch Chorzow back in January 2019, originally linking up with the club’s academy setup before having minutes in the first team.
However, he would only feature three times before being sent on various loan spells to Logrones and UD Ibiza but was unable to wriggle his way into Farke’s plans.
As a result, Bogusz would move to MLS side LAFC for a fee in the region of £1m in a deal that would catapult his career into action, potentially leaving the club to rue his departure.
|
Mateusz Bogusz’s stats for LAFC in the MLS during 2024 |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Tally |
|
Games played |
36 |
|
Goals scored |
16 |
|
Assists |
8 |
|
Pass accuracy |
84% |
|
Chances created |
77 |
|
Successful dribbles |
41 |
|
Touches in opposition box |
122 |
|
Stats via FotMob |
|
During his two years in America, the Pole featured 90 times, registering 24 times and 18 assists, leading to journalist Greg Beacham dubbing the midfielder as “dangerous”.
The 23-year-old has since moved to Mexican side, Cruz Azul, for a fee in the region of £8m, with his transfer fee higher than Tanaka’s current market value, with the Japanese star valued at £3.3m by Transfermarkt.
Given Bogusz’s rise away from Yorkshire along with his increase in value, the club may have offloaded the talent too prematurely – having the skillset to add to Farke’s side in their hunt for promotion.
However, he remains a case of what could’ve been for the Whites, with the Polish international showcasing what they have missed out on by not handing him the opportunity in the first team.
Related
Leeds can finally axe Aaronson by starting “superb” star out of position
Daniel Farke could hand one Leeds United a new role at Elland Road over the coming weeks.
