Leeds United supporters can be proud of how some of their players performed whilst they were at the World Cup with their respective countries this summer.

Gabriel Gudmundsson made it to the round of 32 with Graham Potter's Sweden in a left wing-back position, whilst Ao Tanaka also made it to the same round with Japan.

Unfortunately, both countries were knocked out of the competition before the last 16, with Japan losing to Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil side in a game that Tanaka came off the bench for.

Japan picked up four points in the two group games that the Leeds central midfielder started, beating Tunisia and drawing with Sweden, before he was benched for the defeat to the Brazilians.

Tanaka went into the World Cup after ending the season as a regular starter in the Premier League for the Whites, starting 14 of his 28 appearances in total.

Leeds confident of agreeing deal to sign new midfielder

There are still doubts over his long-term suitability as a regular starter in the division, despite scoring two goals in 14 starts, because he lost 53% of his ground duels and 52% of his aerial duels in the divison last term.

His future as a regular starter in the top-flight may be even more in doubt now that the club are pursuing a player in his position who may offer even more to the team.

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post's Graham Smyth, Leeds United are in ongoing talks to sign Southampton central midfielder Shea Charles in the summer transfer window.

The reporter claims that the club are confident that they can agree a deal with the Championship side to bring the Northern Ireland international to Elland Road in the coming weeks.

Smyth adds that the feeling is that there are no other teams in the race who are as serious about a deal for the former Manchester City prospect as the Whites.

It was previously reported that the club had made a second offer of £23m for the star midfielder, which was not enough to secure his services, and it now remains to be seen how much they will have to pay for him.

Graham Smyth's Leeds transfer update is bad news for Ao Tanaka

Smyth's claim that the club are confident that they will reach an agreement with Southampton to sign Charles this summer should come as bad news for Tanaka, as it could affect his game time next season.

The Japanese star eventually earned a run of games in midfield for the Whites in the second half of last term, but his aforementioned struggles in duels is a continued concern, as he does not have the physicality to dominate midfielders in the Premier League.

Charles, meanwhile, is a physical box-to-box midfielder who could arrive at Elland Road as a much better option for Daniel Farke in the middle of the park.

In the 2025/26 league campaign, the Northern Irish star offered significantly more to his side out of possession than Tanaka did, particularly when it came to winning duels, both on the ground and in the air.

These statistics suggest that Charles would have a better chance at coping with the physicality of the Premier League week-in-week-out than Tanaka, who is more known for what he contributes in possession than defensively.

That is not to say that the Southampton youngster is not effective with the ball at his feet, though, as he scored goals against Arsenal and Liverpool in the FA Cup and League Cup last term, whilst he also provided an assist for his country against France.

The 22-year-old talent scored six goals in 38 matches in all competitions for the Saints, including four in the Championship, and could provide a goal threat from midfield for Farke's side.

At the age of 22, Charles is also five years younger than Tanaka, who is 27, and would have more potential to get better as he gains more experience at the top level, making him an even better long-term option for the club.

Therefore, the Japan international should be concerned by the club's pursuit of the Southampton star because it could be bad news for both his short-term and long-term prospects in West Yorkshire.