Leeds United take on Millwall in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon, and expect Daniel Farke to make some big changes to his XI.
Daniel Farke is likely to make a lot of changes for Leeds United’s FA Cup clash against Championship rivals Millwall on Saturday, with our predicted Leeds United lineup boasting nine total changes.
We’re bound to see some of Farke’s Championship stars rested and some of his lesser-seen names given a run out. And it would make sense after Leeds went the entirety of the January transfer window without signing a first-team player.
One or two injuries in the side could really upset the apple cart and so games like this – in the FA Cup where the opposition is also likely to make changes – is an ideal time to rest certain players.
One who could be benched or even left at home is Brenden Aaronson, who joined Leeds from RedBull Salzburg in 2022. The 24-year-old has already featured 31 times in the Championship this season scoring eight goals and grabbing three assists.
Dominic Matteo praises Brenden Aaronson’s Leeds United form
Speaking on LUTV ahead of the Millwall match, Leeds United legend Dominic Matteo has reserved praise for Aaronson, who he thinks simple doesn’t get enough credit at Elland Road.
Matteo said of the American: “I think Aaronson is the one for me who has gone under the radar, we haven’t given him enough credit.
“He is the one who as a centre-half you don’t want to play up against because he finds those little pockets the other players don’t find. He is contributing with goals and assists and so I think at the moment he is so far so good.”
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What Jon Newsome said about Brenden Aaronson after Coventry City
But not every pundit is a fan of Aaronson, nor is every Leeds fan. Speaking after the 2-0 win over Coventry City in midweek, Jon Newsom gave his verdict on Aaronson and said that he thinks he’s somewhat out of his depth in that no.10 role.
Newsome said: “He struggles in that position, he struggles to be a natural 10. To unpick the lock, he’s not that kind of player. He’s playing out of position. He gives his all, full of commitment, full of running.
“Has he got the quality to play in that 10 role going forward? I don’t think so – I think he looks a little lost. There’s parts of the game when he receives the ball and he doesn’t know where he is, his surroundings.”
Right now, Farke doesn’t really have too many options in that no.10 position, at least not players who are out and out no.10s. That might have explained the deadline day bid to sign Cameron Archer from Southampton who can play that role effectively.
Whist Aaronson’s numbers are good this season, it’s certain that Farke would not only need to add depth to that no.10 position in the summer, but an extra bit of quality too, whether or not Leeds United get promoted.
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