Jon Newsome has told BBC Radio Leeds that he was really disappointed by Brenden Aaronson seemingly jumping out of the way of potential challenges in Leeds United’s loss to Everton on Saturday, suggesting that he would have plenty to say to him if they were teammates.
Leeds fans are still coming to terms with one of the worst performances of the campaign so far. A baffling Seamus Coleman goal settled a game at Goodison Park in which Leeds managed to barely lay a glove on Sean Dyche’s side.
Supporters may have hoped that Michael Skubala would make changes after a drab first-half in which the visitors were fortunate to still be level. However, none of those brought on from the bench were able to make any kind of significant impact.
Brenden Aaronson criticised after Leeds loss at Everton
Aaronson was the first attacking player brought on, coming on just after the hour-mark. The American has been out of form for some time. But there were a couple of bright signs at Old Trafford last week.
Unfortunately, the 22-year-old was another who failed to make a difference. And Newsome really took exception to the way he did not appear to be up for the scrap.
“I feel he’s very lightweight. There were a couple of occasions when the ball was there to be won and he actually jumped out of the way. That, for me, is really disappointing,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.
“You’re getting paid good money, mate. And you’re supposed to leave everything out there. If you don’t want to put a tackle in and win the ball back for us, then I’d have plenty to say about that.”
Aaronson does get knocked off the ball way too easily. Officials are not giving him the decisions he wants. And it is hard to argue that they should be.
That is particularly frustrating when good moments break down because the youngster is seemingly more determined to win a free-kick.
Those incidents would be easier to take if Aaronson was making the difference in lots of other ways. But he simply isn’t doing enough. He has not scored and only provided one assist since the end of August in the Premier League.
Of course, he is a younger player. And it must not be forgotten that he has absolutely no say in the transfer fee that led to him ending up at Elland Road.
But Aaronson is one of our most expensive signings ever. So it is troubling when he is being accused of not leaving everything out on the pitch.
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