Brenden Aaronson remains a divisive figure within the Leeds United fanbase, with the USMNT international exciting and frustrating in equal measure.
Leeds United are a Premier League team again but it remains to be seen what sort of role Brenden Aaronson has under Daniel Farke following promotion.
Only Jayden Bogle and Joe Rodon featured in more minutes in 2024/25 than Aaronson. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder played 3,551 minutes and his availability was outstanding.
Leeds fans grew fed up of Aaronson last season although the midfielder has been in better form of late, with Aaronson starring for USMNT in recent games.
Leeds United FC v West Bromwich Albion FC - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Speaking on international duty, Aaronson interviewed with Goal where he explained the race to the finish line and the feeling of securing promotion. He said: “We had some scares, man.
“Even right at the end of the season, we lost and tied a few we shouldn’t have lost or tied. The tough part of the Championship was that you had four teams really going for it, until Sunderland started to drop out.
“And it felt like no one would ever lose. Every time you think, ‘Oh, we’ll pull away’ someone closes the gap. It’s just ongoing.
“It’s a gigantic club, though, and it feels like we needed to win the Championship. Even when we were promoted, people wanted the trophy. That’s all the fans care about: winning the trophy.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
“They were saying 200,000 people would be at the parade. It ended up being like 300,000. The whole city was there. It’s people as far as eyes can see and you can just feel that love.”
Aaronson had to re-earn that love, though, having spent the 2023/24 campaign with Union Berlin. That saw Aaronson return to a very mixed reception on his return to Elland Road.
As the season wore on, he played a key role for the team and learnt plenty from it as well. He added: “I learned so much this year just in terms of being on the field just knowing that you have to win the game.
“There’s so much pressure in moments like that, and you just learn how to go through it. You learn about how to deal with it and how to get better from it.”
Leeds United FC v Cardiff City FC - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images
Leeds United have better alternatives to Brenden Aaronson
We took a look at three replacements for Aaronson earlier in the season, with a Premier League proven No.10 absolutely paramount for the Whites.
Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss could be an option for Leeds. His set-piece threat is exactly what the likes of Pascal Struijk and Jaka Bijol will thrive off of.
Leeds target Mario Stroeykens is much better than Aaronson statistically and that is something else Leeds absolutely must have: output.
Goals and assists are required from as many avenues as possible but nine goals and two assists in the Championship doesn’t scream Premier League quality.
Aaronson’s intensity and engine will be useful at times, as will his versatility. He can operate as an attacking midfielder or central midfielder, but also on both flanks as well.