Daniel Farke has put Leeds United right in the mix for automatic promotion a third into the season, with The Whites two points behind second and first-placed Sheffield United and Sunderland.
Following the losses of Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, Archie Gray and Glen Kamara, Daniel Farke would surely have bitten your arm off to be sitting where Leeds are now, especially with the injuries.
A crucial part of this new-look Leeds side under Farke has been Brenden Aaronson, a player that many felt did not have a future at Elland Road after leaving in the summer of 2023 to go on loan to Union Berlin.
But Aaronson has scored four goals and laid on an assist with the USA star the only player capable of playing in the 10 role in this Leeds side. Aaronson has had some critics from those of a Leeds persuasion.
Brenden Aaronson says his reputation as player is ‘upsetting’
Simon Grayson has questioned Aaronson’s end product, while Aaronson remains the most-dispossessed player in the Championship. His lack of physicality remains an issue and it means he often loses the ball.
But Aaronson’s positives are his work rate, his energy. Daniel Farke says Aaronson needs to calm down, and the player has now told GOAL that he feels his reputation is not fair and actually, it gets to him.
“It’s definitely upsetting. I show a lot of quality with the ball. I don’t think a lot of people see that. People see my energy, that’s easy to see. You’ll always see me giving 100 percent. I’ve always had that,” he said.
“I want to be outside of that box. I’m not just a runner. I’m not just a guy that’s pressing all the time. I’m more than that, you know? I’m a guy that brings other things to the pitch. I wish people could see that.”
Aaronson needs to prove he is not just a runner at Leeds
Yes, Aaronson is a technically-gifted player that has played in the Champions League. But if he is to rid himself of the reputation of being a runner, as he puts it, then he needs to start scoring and assisting.
Four goals and an assist at this is solid, without excelling. Jon Newsome says Aaronson is struggling to show his transfer fee, and is only sitting slightly above the water line with his current performances.
Aaronson is targeting 15 goals and 15 assists this season, and that would certainly change opinions on his style of play, and the strengths he brings to this Leeds side. Can he do it? He has a long way to go.
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