After great results against Newcastle and Everton, there was a bit of optimism for Leeds United heading into this weekend’s game. They faced a Fulham side who had yet to pick up a win in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke’s side had already gathered four points from three games before the international break. The game went on for more than hour with no side really posing any serious threat. Apart from a Dominic Calvert-Lewin header, and a shot from Sean Longstaff, Leeds did not really pose any threat. Regardless, they should have taken the lead in the first half when they had the chance.
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It was the second half that was the key to winning the game. As the match went on, it looked very likely to be a stalemate. Daniel Farke even admitted in the post-match press conference that he played for the result. But it backfired, when Marco Silva introduced a spark in the form of new signing Kevin. The Brazilian brought serious pace and trickery into the game.
His effort on goal caused the corner that resulted in the Gabriel Gudmundsson own goal that won the game.
QUIZ: Can you name these 10 former Leeds United strikers?
Daniel Farke has a Brenden Aaronson problem
Credit: Imago
Daniel Farke changed up the team from their last game against Newcastle, handing starts to Noah Okafor, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brenden Aaronson. Starting Aaronson really came as a surprise in contrast to Okafor and Calvert-Lewin.
The decision confused fans, but it backfired in a spectacular way. In his 77 minutes on the pitch, he had just one shot on goal and failed to deliver an accurate cross or win an aerial duel. He looked lost out wide, as he barely offered a threat to Fulham. Aaronson offered zero presence but was industrious off the ball.
This season’s change in system leaves the American in a difficult position, he can no longer play as the number 10 but is not good enough to play in midfield or out wide. Farke has a lot of questions to answer.
Leeds United star had a season to forget in his last Premier League stint
In the short start to the season so far, it is looking very likely that Aaronson repeats what he did in his first year in the Premier League. The American played a total of 40 games in 2022/23 and scored just one goal in all competitions.
Brenden Aaronson in the Premier League:
2290 mins played
46 chances created
34 successful take-ons
31 appearances
8 shots on-target
5 big chances created
3 assists
1 goal
A debut Premier League season and a whole lot of running and intensity, but his overall attacking numbers… pic.twitter.com/8At3DePq7x
— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) April 22, 2023
If Daniel Farke persists with this experiment, there is every chance history repeats itself at Leeds United.
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