Leeds United loanee Brenden Aaronson has been criticised for a toothless display in the final third during Union Berlin’s 1-0 defeat to Napoli.
In a post-match piece by the Berliner Zeitung, Aaronson is said to have failed to ‘bring any creativity or wit’, as Union slumped to a third defeat from three in the Champions League.
Aaronson was making just his second start in all competitions since picking up a red card in the second league match of the season, with his inclusion in the XI somewhat of a surprise.
The 23-year-old was an unused substitute in their 3-0 defeat to Stuttgart at the weekend having previously been criticised by the media for his lack of physicality.
Union have endured a dreadful start to the season having lost nine matches in a row across the Bundesliga and Champions League, after winning 4-1 in both of their opening two games.
Leeds’ Aaronson criticised for final third display
Writing after the game, Aaronson was praised for the work rate and desire he showed, but ultimately, he was unable to provide anything meaningful in the final third.
“Brenden Aaronson (until 70): The American was surprisingly in the starting line-up after sitting on the bench for 90 minutes against Stuttgart at the weekend. His commitment could not be denied, but he was unable to bring in any creativity or wit.”
Work rate but lack of quality is ultimately a good summary of his failings at Leeds and so it is disappointing to hear that he has not shown any signs of improvement so far in Germany.
Aaronson made no key passes, attempted no dribbles and touched the ball just 18 times against Napoli on Tuesday. These statistics are a good indicator of just how absent he was during the game.
Based on what we have heard, it would be a surprise if Aaronson is not dropped back down to the bench against Ilia Gruev’s former side Werder Bremen on Saturday, as Union look to avoid a 10th successive defeat.
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