Brenden Aaronson enjoyed a very promising evening for Leeds United at Sheffield Wednesday but there is still certainly room for improvement.
Aaronson started for the first time in the league since returning to Elland Road and managed to get himself on the scoresheet in Leeds’ 2-0 win.
The 23-year-old was handed a start in his favoured number 10 role, a position Graeme Bailey says he could become the best player in the league, and finished off a free-flowing move for Leeds‘ opener.
Throughout the 90 minutes Aaronson showed some very neat touches, but as was always expected, is still having some issues with his physicality.
Aaronson was bumped off the ball on a few occasions despite packing on six lbs of muscle while at Union Berlin, perhaps showing it’s not his upper body strength that is the problem.
Jon Newsome says Aaronson can learn from Wilfried Gnonto
The reason why Aaronson is knocked off the ball more than he should be is both his lack of awareness of what’s around him, and how to use his body effectively.
However, that is certainly not in anyway knocking his contribution to the win at Hillsborough, as his introduction to the team ahead of Joel Piroe made a huge difference.
Aaronson felt like a considerably more natural number 10 to replace Georginio Rutter, but was actually outshone by Wilfried Gnonto in that position, according to pundit Jon Newsome.
Particularly in the second half, Gnonto was taking up all sorts of positions in midfield, collecting the ball in tight spaces and either running with it, or recycling the play.
Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds, Newsome believes Aaronson could learn a lot from Gnonto in how he ‘protects’ the ball when under pressure from defenders.
He said: “At times he has been unplayable really, his desire to get on the ball in tight areas, not only just get on the ball but look after it, you know, he doesn’t let people brush him off, which is probably the criticism for Aaronson a little bit. Could learn a lot from Willy Gnonto and the way he protects the ball.”
Aaronson enjoys full-time moment with Leeds fans
It has not been easy for Aaronson since his return to Leeds, but slowly but surely he is getting the fans back onside.
That is now two goals in three league appearances already this season, more than he managed during the entirety of his Premier League campaign.
Aaronson received a mixed reception in his first game back at Elland Road and clearly that is something his teammates have recognised.
With that in mind, Aaronson was pushed towards the away end to do the customary wave to the fans after a win, and that will have undoubtedly felt brilliant.
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