BBC pundit reacts to Brenden Aaronson cameo in Leeds defeat

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Jon Newsome has told BBC Radio Leeds that Brenden Aaronson made an impact when he came on for Leeds United against Fulham on Tuesday, admitting that the American really has not done a lot since the World Cup.

Aaronson’s form this season has very much mirrored how the campaign has gone for Leeds. He started the year brilliantly. He should have been credited with the winner on the opening day against Wolves.

And he was sensational against Chelsea. But it was not too long before his form dipped. Funnily enough, his next superb display arguably came that night at Anfield, when Leeds secured a massive win.

Newsome discusses Aaronson after cameo in Leeds loss

However, he has struggled to make an impact since, particularly after barely featuring for the USMNT at the World Cup.

He has been in and out of the team in more recent times. And Javi Gracia initially left him on the bench against Fulham on Tuesday.

He would come on during the second-half. And he did have some bright moments, coming close to scoring from the edge of the box.

Newsome suggested that he was impressed by his cameo. But Leeds need a lot more from the youngster.

“I thought he made a real impact when he came on tonight and should have scored a goal, and maybe created another one,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.

“But over the past couple of months, since the World Cup, he’s not really produced anything, has he. It’s stats, it’s assists, goals, they’re the departments that we’re lacking in.”

Aaronson was always going to need some time to adapt to the Premier League. And it does appear that he is starting to learn some lessons. It is surely fair to say that he is going to ground a lot less already.

But ultimately, Leeds spent £22 million on the 22-year-old in the summer. That makes him one of our most expensive signings ever. So it does feel fair to suggest that we should expect more than one goal and two assists.

Every one of the attacking players needs to step up their games in the weeks ahead. Scoring goals has been a massive problem of late. So if each of them, including Aaronson, can score a couple of goals before the end of the campaign, that could make a huge difference.