An influx of new targets have been made public over the last 48 hours as Leeds United step up their work in the transfer window ahead of next season’s Premier League campaign.
Leeds achieved more points than any other season in the club’s history with Daniel Farke’s 100-point champions seven better off than promotion under Marcelo Bielsa, during the 2019-20 campaign.
And yet, so much work needs to be done this summer. The chasm between the Premier League and the Championship has grown exponentially, as found out by the last six sides promoted from the second tier.
All of whom, have been relegated. Alan Shearer thinks Leeds can buck that trend but in order to do so, plenty of new signings are required – none more so than a much more effective option in the no.10 role.
Leeds are said to be in talks for Udinese centre-back Jaka Bijol, Strasbourg captain Habib Diarra and then Aston Villa left-back Alex Moreno. Anderlecht starlet Mario Stroeykens is the latest player to be linked.
The incredible stat that shows Stroeykens is better than Aaronson
Leeds have opened talks to sign the exciting Stroeykens, who is rated at £17m. The 12-time Belgium U21 had a hand in 12 goals in all competitions last season and at the age of 20, is the next Anderlecht gem.
A team that have produced stars like Youri Tielemans and Romelu Lukaku over the years. But comparing his form last season to the player he would be replacing, in Brenden Aaronson, there is a big difference.
Comparing league form, Stroeykens played just half the minutes Aaronson did and yet – only had two fewer goal involvements than the American. A goal or assist 126 minutes more often than Aaronson.
| Name | Club | Games | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Minutes per G+A |
| Aaronson | Leeds | 46 | 3567 | 9 | 2 | 324.3 |
| Stoeykens | Anderlecht | 27 | 1788 | 4 | 5 | 198.7 |
Aaronson underperformed his XG, Stroeykens outperformed his
Of course, the variable is different in that Aaronson played in the Championship and Stroeykens in the Jupiler League. But one would suggest that England’s second tier and Belgium’s top tier is pretty close.
Aaronson’s 11 goals and assists was far below his target of 30 for the entire season. The American had a sticky note above his gaming station to remind him that he was aiming for 15 goals and 15 assists.
He finished miles below that tally, even though his XG+XA was 17.48. A massive 6.48 above what he achieved, while Stroeykens was the opposite. The Belgian’s XG+XA was 6.18, but he managed nine.
Clearly, Stroeykens is much more-polished and efficient in the final third even at just 20 years of age. If Leeds could do a deal to bring him to Elland Road, they would be getting a better player than Aaronson.
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