Leeds United have a number of players who will struggle to handle the step up to the Premier League after promotion from the Championship.
Brenden Aaronson is one of the Leeds United squad who this could apply to, with the attacking midfielder flattering to deceive at times last season in the second tier.
That is also true of his last Premier League stint, where the 24-year-old scored once and notched a further three assists for Leeds in the season they were relegated.
He then activated a loan clause in his contract to join Union Berlin for the 2023/24 campaign. It’s something that Leeds fans took a while to forgive, but his Elland Road future looks brighter.
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Brenden Aaronson’s Premier League goal with Leeds
Aaronson must impress Leeds fans. However, of course, there are no guarantees that Aaronson will be a starting player in 2025/26 but he has two years left on a three-year Elland Road contract.
Aaronson is now focused on his career in West Yorkshire. Speaking via Goal, he said: “After this tournament, it’s going back to Leeds and having a fantastic season in the Premier League.
“It’s how the club thinks: what are we going to do next? Who are we gonna add? They always have to make decisions regarding the Prem and, once you win that trophy, it goes directly to how we’re going to work to stay in the Premier League.
“I want to have a great season. I want to prove to everyone that I can do it in the Premier League, too.”
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Should Aaronson make a Premier League impact, a place in the USMNT’s World Cup spot might be on offer as well. There will be no denying him if he can make a better fist of things this time around — and he knows that it’s about delivering.
Aaronson added: “I’ve proven that I can score goals. I’ve proven that I can create with the best teams in the league and help a team get promoted.
“For me, I’m just going to go out there and continue to get better and better. I know it sounds boring, but, for me, it’s true.
“I’m proud of how this season went, but I want to grow. I think I can get better. I’m really happy with this season, but I think I can continue to prove people wrong.”
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Brenden Aaronson’s value to Leeds United
Leeds fans grew fed up with Aaronson last season although the midfielder has been in better form of late, with Aaronson starring for USMNT in recent games.
But has he developed enough to be a starter in the Premier League? No. Leeds will also struggle to sell the American without making a PSR loss on their books.
That’s because he was signed for around £25 million and he has amortised circa. £15 million of that, but Leeds would need around £10 million or more to break even or make a profit.
He can be utilised on the flanks and Aaronson is a ball of energy, which could make him a useful substitute in some game states and scenarios.
But does he have the end product and decisiveness in the final third to make a real impact? That is unlikely, with a match-winner needed in that attacking midfield role.