There were many stand-out performances from Saturday’s 3-0 win over Coventry City as Leeds United secured a fourth league win of the season, and a fifth clean sheet from seven games.
Wilfried Gnonto scored a gorgeous goal and laid on an assist for Leeds. Junior Firpo did something not done since Ian Harte in 2001, a Leeds defender taking his assist tally to double figures in a calendar year.
Illan Meslier, Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk combined once again to secure a fifth clean sheet in six league games while Jayden Bogle got his name on the score sheet for the first time after a difficult start at Leeds.
In midfield, Ilia Gruev as consistent again and when Ethan Ampadu went off, Ao Tanaka starred as he won the most game time he has since joining. His pass for the third was a superb bit of vision, finding Gnonto.
In attack, Largie Ramazani got an assist, Joel Piroe scored again but it was Brenden Aaronson that despite not actually scoring or laying on an assist himself, he produced his best performance since returning.
Leeds fans are loving what they’re seeing from Brenden Aaronson
Aaronson will know more than anyone that he has had to prove to Leeds fans he is worthy of being back in this side. But even Neil Redfearn has admitted Aaronson is growing on him, praising his work rate.
Gnonto described Aaronson as one of his best friends at Leeds, proving that the American is winning fans over on the pitch and seen as a well-liked member by his teammates. On Saturday, he impressed again.
Leeds fans were delighted with the £25m signing on Saturday as the Whites secured all three points, as Aaronson continued to strengthen his place in the starting line-up following his return to Elland Road.
One fan even went as far as comparing Aaronson to Georginio Rutter, who scored his first goal for Brighton on the weekend. He said: “Aaronson is far more effective than Rutter.”
Another said: “I wouldn’t say [Aaronson is] a Rutter replacement but I think we always lacked that agile number 10 last season,” while “first class” was how another Leeds fan described Aaronson.
Aaronson was also described as “unplayable” and deserved “credit” for fighting himself back into the picture at Leeds, despite many fans questioning why he was being given the time of day.
Aaronson has saved Leeds a whole heap of cash this summer
Leeds could have gone and spent £20m on Gustavo Hamer or another big fee on someone else. Fabio Carvalho was on Leeds’ list and he ended up going to Brentford for an enormous £27m figure.
But instead, Leeds and Farke sat down with Aaronson and agreed that he would return and as things stand, it is a move that has not only worked wonders for Leeds and Aaronson – but saved Leeds cash.
While Aaronson might not be worth the initial £25m outlay spent on him in the summer of 2022, he is certainly showing he can be one of the Championship’s best no.10’s this season with his performances.
By the end of the season, Aaronson might just be the difference between Leeds winning promotion with Farke or being forced to endure another season in the Championship and the chances of return reduce.
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