The regular league season ended for Leeds United two weeks ago, with a number of players taking time out to enjoy the sun.
The off-season is important for rest and relaxation, especially during a year without the European Championships or the World Cup. Many of the Leeds United players spent time in Las Vegas, as is traditional for a number of teams who gain EFL promotion.
Burnley and Wrexham players were also present on similar trips, but not everyone chose to head stateside after lifting the title in Plymouth and following the open-top bus celebrations. All of the Leeds senior players were invited to go on but not all wanted to partake in the tradition.
Joel Piroe has headed to Japan with his family, while Joe Rodon went to USA with his family but did not head to Vegas. The Dutch striker has been soaking up the culture recently in Tokyo instead.
Leeds’ Joel Piroe and Ao Tanaka spotted in wholesome moment
Piroe won the golden boot in the 2024/25 Championship season, with his 19 goals the most in the division including a four-goal haul against Stoke City. Josh Windass believes Josh Sargent is better than Piroe but the Leeds forward had a strong season in 2024/25.
He also notched seven assists and no player in the second tier matched his overall tally of goal involvements, which was 26. You could argue that he has earnt his holiday as much as any Leeds player this term. Remarkably, his 73 goals in the Championship places him 30th in the all-time charts.
Piroe has been in Tokyo and a familiar face has joined him for some food in Japan’s capital today. Ao Tanaka has been back in his home country for media work as surprise guest on NHK, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, per Graham Smyth of The Yorkshire Evening Post.
As seen from Piroe’s Instagram story, the pair are catching up during the off-season. Pre-season training will begin some time later in June and they appear to be enjoying themselves after Tanaka fulfilled punditry duties for the live televised coverage of the game of Kashima Antlers vs Kawasaki Frontale.
It ended 2-1 on May 11 at the National Stadium in Tokyo between the J1 League leaders. Kawasaki Frontale was where Tanaka spent a decade coming through the youth ranks before eventually making his breakthrough into senior football prior to his move to Germany.Â
Leeds will need both next season and Piroe has named the Premier League clubs Leeds need to aim at emulating the success of next season. It will be a much more difficult challenge than promotion.
Can Joel Piroe and Ao Tanaka make the step up to the Premier League with Leeds?
The question over which Leeds players are capable of making the step up to the Premier League is going to be asked over and over again this summer. That includes both Ao Tanaka and Joel Piroe, too.
Of course, someone like Ethan Ampadu is perhaps the most sure thing regarding the English top flight. However, there have to be some question marks over other starting players — including both Tanaka and Piroe.
Tanaka’s quality in possession and his understanding of the game sets him apart from other players. But the Premier League will not be as forgiving regarding his lack of physicality. Similar could also be levelled at Piroe, but he could leave Leeds yet.
The Dutchman is secure in possession and an excellent finisher but his lack of speed and physicality is certain to hold him back in the Premier League. It highlights how many areas of the team Leeds need to add to.
That isn’t to say that neither can have an impact. Tanaka could certainly be a decent player at Premier League level, but it is to say that their dominance in the Championship won’t translate to every game next season.
The Japanese midfielder is the more obvious player to try and build the team around but Piroe could be more of a squad player or rotation option in 2025/26.
