While Leeds United travelled to Hull City, Brenden Aaronson came off the bench as Real Madrid hosted his loan side Union Berlin – but German media have criticised the American’s cameo at the Bernabeu.
Having struggled at Leeds last season, it came as a bit of a shock in the summer when Union decided to sign Aaronson. A club partaking in this season’s Champions League, fourth in last season’s Bundesliga.
It has been a struggle for Aaronson so far. Starting the first two Bundesliga matches, he was shown a red card after 21 minutes in that second outing. He is yet to win back his starting spot in the Union XI.
A sub outing in a 2-1 loss at Wolfsburg on the weekend was followed by the best part of 30 minutes at Real Madrid. The Galacticos dominated, but some how, the score read 0-0 going into injury time.
Little surprise, though, that it was Jude Bellingham to pop up with the winner in the final moments – tapping home from a short corner. Aaronson was criticised for his cameo role by Berliner Zeitung.
“Light and shadow alternated for the American. Once he cleverly stole the ball from Vazquez, then carelessly gave it back. He has to become more robust,” the German paper wrote, discussing Aaronson.
German media criticise Leeds man Aaronson for Madrid display
It is a summary of Aaronson that has become all too common and even expected, among Leeds fans. Those of an Union persuasion are now becoming accustomed to the lightweight playmaker, his style.
He is simply, not strong enough. Aaronson will surely be working hard and both Leeds and Union will have been trying to get him in the gym, in order to put weight on. But he is yet to reach the physique.
At this level, he is going to be pushed off the ball. His technique and his work rate are excellent, but it means nothing if players are simply going to shrug you off the ball. One to work on for the American.
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