Daniel Farke was in a decent mood on Tuesday night after watching his side pick up a 1-1 draw away at Norwich City, after a difficult week for Leeds United.
The Whites had picked up injuries to five first-team players before the trip to Norwich. Ethan Ampadu was ruled out until the new year, while Max Wober has been forced to undergo surgery on his knee injury.
Elsewhere, Manor Solomon (back), Dan James (hamstring) and Isaac Schmidt (glute) were also ruled out. During the game, Leeds midfielder Ilia Gruev was forced off the field of play due to another new injury.
But Patrick Bamford did return and Largie Ramazani’s second Leeds goal saw The Whites go unbeaten in three games, climbing to fourth with a solid point against a side likely to be in the mix for the top six.
Wilfried Gnonto was excellent and Ramazani got his name on the score sheet, but Brenden Aaronson was just as good as those two as he continues to turn his form into consistent performances in a Leeds shirt.
Daniel Farke heaps praise on “unbelievable” Leeds star Aaronson
Aaronson has really impressed since returning to Leeds. The player will know more than most that he has had to convince fans of his return, after angering many by jumping ship to join Union Berlin on loan.
But he has scored two goals and laid on an assist in his eight Championship outings, starting only six of those. Speaking in his post-match press conference, Farke praised Aaronson’s work rate and quality.
“He’s in really good physical shape, defensively he is unbelievable. Credit to him, I hope to have him on Friday, probably in the starting line-up. After a difficult loan spell, what he is delivering is great,” he said.
There is still an issue undermining Aaronson’s performances
Aaronson was bought for £25m as Jesse Marsch’s first signing. While he reunited with the American, it was a signing that Marcelo Bielsa wanted in January but he struggled in the Premier League for Leeds.
Aaronson’s stats against Norwich on Tuesday night:
- Dispossessed five times, one unsuccessful touch
- Three shots, 0 on target
- Two dribbles, fouled twice
- Two tackles, on foul
- 20/25 passes, 80% success rate
The playmaker was criticised for his lack of physicality. Tony Dorigo said in pre-season that Aaronson had put weight on in muscle, following his loan in Germany. But, Aaronson keeps on being dispossessed.
It was the same on Tuesday night. Aaronson was dispossessed five times and while the playmaker is in an area of the pitch where he has to make things happen, but that lack of physicality is still clearly an issue.
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