Attacking midfield is an area of concern for Leeds United as they prepare for the 2025/26 season, with Daniel Farke’s side likely to undergo somewhat of an overhaul of the starting lineup.
The playmaker role is perhaps one of the most obvious problems for Leeds to find a solution to, given Brenden Aaronson has been a frustration to fans this season. That is because he has just 11 goal involvements in spite of the team scoring 95 in the Championship.
| Season | Appearances | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
| 2022/23 (Premier League | 36 | 28 | 2383 | 1 | 3 |
| 2024/25 (Championship) | 46 | 43 | 3572 | 9 | 2 |
This record-breaking Leeds team have been so utterly dominant, but Aaronson has a propensity to be wasteful in decisive moments more than most. That is something which Leeds cannot afford next season, with transitional moments on the counter-attack likely to be vital in the top flight.
Attacks can often die at the feet of the USMNT international, highlighting the need to source a better player. That is not the only area of the pitch which will require major surgery, however, with signings needed all across the park to make Leeds a competitive Premier League outfit.
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Three Brenden Aaronson upgrades Leeds United should be eyeing this summer
Here, we focus on three players Leeds should be looking to acquire in the No.10 role in order to upgrade on Aaronson. The 24-year-old will have a huge role to play within the squad, but not as a starting player for Premier League football, even if this Leeds team has ‘astounded’ experts and Aaronson has been a key component of that.
1) Bilal El Khannouss
The Leicester City playmaker is available for just £22 million this summer, which is why he simply has to be included on Leeds’ shortlist this summer. Bilal El Khannouss is primed to develop rapidly towards his potential in the coming years.
The 20-year-old has plenty of quality already, and has been one of the best players for any of the relegated sides. That is an area Leeds simply cannot overlook. The Moroccan is a set-piece taker, too, which is something Leeds must sign this summer following Joe Rothwell’s loan expiration.
El Khannouss is much more than that, though. His flair and invention in the final third is already evident at such a young age. He can operate in the same zones as Aaronson but is a much more obvious guarantee after a promising first season in the top flight of English football already.
2) Martin Baturina
Martin Baturina is also a set-piece taker but perhaps brings much more energy and tenacity to the table than El Khannouss, much like Aaronson. However, his ceiling and his output is much higher and that is what Daniel Farke needs next year in key moments.
The Croatian international Baturina has been linked to Leeds previously, and perhaps a revival of a move this summer could be on the cards. The 22-year-old also has bags of potential and is arguably the best player in his native country’s top division with Dinamo Zagreb.
He is overdue a move to one of Europe’s elite five leagues, with Leeds the perfect next step for him in his career. His touch and awareness is excellent in tight spaces and he has the passing range to unlock the opposition more frequently than Leeds’ current incumbent.
3) Malik Tillman
Finally, we have a player who has been dubbed somewhat of a regen of Georginio Rutter in PSV’s Malik Tillman. He is an international teammate of Aaronson’s as well, but with all the physical and technical qualities required for Premier League football.
As seen above from DataMB on Twitter/X, Tillman is a similar profile of No.10 to the maverick Frenchman. Both players are able to do things off the cuff and be a match-winner in big moments. He would be a huge upgrade on Aaronson in that sense and given his size, frame, and build at 6’2 as well.
What areas of the team Leeds United should prioritise this summer
Leeds need to ensure their strength in both boxes going forwards, which means differential players in both defence and attack. As a dominant Championship team, they were able to mitigate against issues in both boxes somewhat, but that cannot persist in the Premier League.
On top of that and tying deserving players down to new deals, a high quality playmaker is a must but so is a top quality and consistent goalkeeper. Leeds have seldom had a reliable stopper in their recent history and that has to change this summer with a real ceiling-raising addition.
There must also be a new centre-forward with the ability to hold the ball up and pin the opposition, which is a feature of many top sides in the Premier League now. An outlet who can sustain attacks and keep the ball away from the opposition to alleviate pressure is an absolute must.
There are other aspects needed on top of those things, but the first three signings ought to be a No.9, a No.10, and a new starting ‘keeper above all else. That would help give Leeds a spine and platform to build around alongside the likes of Ethan Ampadu at the base of midfield.
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