Leeds United’s side is likely to look considerably different to the one that finished the last campaign and suffered defeat to Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley.
Joe Rodon has returned to Tottenham, while loanees Connor Roberts and Jaidon Anthony have gone back to their parent clubs. Joining them could be the likes of duo Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto.
The 49ers need to sell some players to bring in a profit and help them abide by the rules set by Financial Fairplay. Replacements will also be required at a low cost and that is where Brenden Aaronson comes in.
The 23-year-old has spent the 2023-24 season out on loan at Union Berlin but after an indifferent season and a conversation with Daniel Farke, the USA star has returned to Leeds ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
Aaronson is expected to play a key role next season and he has spoken to The Athletic about deciding to return to Yorkshire and some of Aaronson’s comments suggest he could be a completely different player.
Aaronson could be a completely different player next season
Leeds fans were incredibly critical of Aaronson during his first season at Elland Road. A campaign in which Leeds were relegated and he played 40 times in league and cup, managing one goal and three assists.
The criticisms centred around his lack of physicality that saw Aaronson often muscled off the ball and left in a heap on the deck. But Aaronson has said that he has put weight on since being in the Bundesliga.
“Playing in the Bundesliga is super physical, it’s just a battering. The biggest thing I learned this year is working on physicality. I got a nutritionist and I gained six pounds of muscle mass, which is huge for me.”
The new and improved Aaronson could win Leeds fans over
His lack of physicality will not be the only issue Aaronson has to overcome next season. The main one is getting Leeds fans back onside next term, having been one of the players to jump ship after relegation.
Like Willy Gnonto, Aaronson will have plenty of criticism from supporters having put himself first and choosing against playing for Leeds. But Gnonto has got fans back on side, even if he leaves this summer.
Aaronson needs to hit the ground running. The new and improved version of the American, who himself has said he is stronger by quite a considerable margin, could have all the tools he needs to win fans over.
Stronger and possibly more physical, more able to withstand the strength of others, Leeds could be about to receive a completely different Aaronson next season to the one that struggled during 2022-23.
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