Leeds have an incredible star who’s their finest EFL talent since Hernandez

Leeds United have taken massive strides in the Championship over the last couple of months to make amends after last season’s play-off final defeat against Southampton.

Such a result could’ve completely derailed all the progress made since Daniel Farke’s appointment the summer prior, but it appears to have spurred them on in their ambitions of securing promotion.

The Whites currently sit top of the table with just over 10 games remaining, in pole position to end their two-year stay in England’s second tier come the end of the season.

Numerous players have starred throughout the campaign, aiming to replicate the success of the 2019/20 season, which saw the club secure promotion under Marcelo Bielsa.

One player played a key role during the aforementioned campaign, cementing himself in the hearts of the fanbase forever given his efforts at Elland Road.

Pablo Hernandez’s stats at Leeds United

Spanish midfielder Pablo Hernandez joined Leeds on loan for the first half of the 2016/17 season, before subsequently joining permanently that January, given his early form in Yorkshire.

After making his move permanent, the former Swansea City star would make over 150 appearances for the Whites, cementing his place as a regular at the heart of the side.

He would regularly star in the Championship, registering over 10 combined goals and assists

in every season he appeared in, making himself a fan-favourite with the supporters.

Given his form under Bielsa, he rapidly became one of the club’s best Championship performers, even being the shining light in difficult moments on the pitch before the Argentine’s arrival.

Hernandez would depart in the summer of 2021 on a free transfer, ending his four-year spell with the Whites, with his time at the club unforgettable given the moments of magic he produced.

However, in the current squad, Farke has one star who could emulate the Spaniard’s success at Elland Road, already appearing to be above the current level after his move to Yorkshire.

The star who could be Leeds’ best EFL player since Hernandez

In the summer, Leeds lost numerous players after their failure to secure promotion, but such dealings also allowed for investment into the current squad – leading to the success they’ve enjoyed in recent months.

One of the additions made as a result was that of Japanese international Ao Tanaka, who has excelled beyond the wildest imagination of any Whites’ supporter.

The 26-year-old joined for a fee in the region of £3.5m from German outfit Fortuna Düsseldorf in the off-season, arriving as an unknown quantity to many, but has since adhered himself to the supporters.

Tanaka, who’s previously been dubbed “unbelievable” by boss Farke, has become a pivotal part of the first-team squad, starting 26 of the 34 outings to date, having a huge impact at both ends of the pitch at Elland Road.

He’s registered five combined goals and assists in 2024/25, including one strike against Sheffield United last night, edging the side ahead in the crucial promotion clash.

His underlying stats have been just as impressive, highlighting how key he’s been out of possession, winning the ball and allowing himself and other players to star in forward areas.

Given his form in the Championship since his summer move, he’s certainly up there with one of the best additions of the season, looking to be a bargain and a player ready for the step-up to the Premier League.

Tanaka’s emergence is one of the examples of the recruitment conducted by the hierarchy over the last couple of years, following in the footsteps of Hernandez with his talent catapulting the side to their success.

Should they continue their current form, the Whites will achieve their goal of returning to the top-flight, with the Japanese star likely to play a key role at the level above – representing how much of an impressive addition he’s been to Farke’s side.