Forget Gustavo Hamer, ‘exceptional’ Leeds United star named as Championship Player of Season by pundit

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Gustavo Hamer was named the official Championship Player of the Season but one pundit thinks a Leeds United star actually deserves that title.

Gustavo Hamer won the Championship Player of the Season late last month, causing much debate amongst rival fans.

He provided 16 combined goals and assists across the normal 2024/25 season, helping Sheffield United secure a third-place finish.

Hamer spoke about his improved form recently and is now set to compete in the play-offs with the Blades, taking on Bristol City in the first of two semi-final legs on Thursday evening.

However, the Sheff Utd ace was not the Player of the Season in the eyes of one pundit.

Leeds United’s Ao Tanaka named Championship Player of the Season

Instead, Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka has now come in for plaudits after his remarkable campaign.

Fans praised Tanaka previously and suggested he should be the one to take home the award.

Now, speaking on the Second Tier podcast this week, Ryan Dilks has named the Leeds ace as their Championship Player of the Season.

He said: “Our player of the season is Leeds United’s Ao Tanaka. Now, if you’re asking me who I think has simply been the best player in the division this season, as simply put as that, I think it’s him.

“His energy, his ability to win the ball back, his reading of the game is all exceptional. But his talent with the ball at his feet is superb as well. His passing, his running with the ball, even scored some important goals as well this season.

“He is the key cog in this Leeds team. He makes them tick, if he has an off day, Leeds have an off day.

“He is the heartbeat of this Leeds United side and we spoke a lot in our awards episode about Leeds’ defensive record and how good that is, how it could have been even better if they had a better goalkeeper, a big part that is Ao Tanaka shielding that back four.

“But Leeds are also by far the highest scorers in the division, and a big part of that is Ao Tanaka linking everything together. He is the glue between attack and defence, and this is part of the team who have, without a doubt, been the best in the championship this season.”

Leeds United expect big things from Ao Tanaka

Leeds are now set to ply their trade in the Premier League for the 2025/26 season.

The Whites are already impressed with their Japanese star, but are expecting even more from him now they are in the top flight.

We spoke to transfer expert Graeme Bailey earlier this year, who told us Leeds are backing Tanaka to be even better in England’s top tier.

He said: “I have also heard that Leeds internally think he will be even better in the top-flight. He is a top-class operator.”