Leeds United fell to a 2-0 loss to Burnley on Saturday afternoon in a huge Premier League six-pointer and Daniel Farke’s team selection posed a huge error.
The Whites travelled across the Pennines in search of a second away win this season after beating Wolves earlier in the campaign, but fell to a sorry defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor.
Goals from Lesley Ugochukwu and Loum Tchaouna saw them lose out in what was billed as a relegation scrap between the two northern clubs, and Burnley are now just one point behind Leeds United in the Premier League table to set up a nervy run of fixtures.
[
Click to subscribe to the podcast ](https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheBackFour?sub_confirmation=1)
And one Daniel Farke decision should be lamented after he decided to start Brenden Aaronson over Daniel James, with the American failing to impress.
FBL-ENG-PR-LEEDS-MAN UTD
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke made a huge error by starting Brenden Aaronson vs Burnley
Aaronson joined Leeds for £24million three years ago, and has started in each of Leeds’ last five league games, where they’ve taken four points in that time.
He was once again selected on the wing against Burnley, but he failed to get a groove from the game.
His most defining moment came in the 32nd-minute of the game. Jack Harrison recovered the ball in the final third, and bearing down on goal, the former Manchester City star set Aaronson away with the freedom of the box.
The attacking midfielder even had time to take a touch, but he opted not to and instead sent a feeble effort into Dubravka’s midriff, with the ball hitting the post and being cleared by Maxime Esteve.
It was a decision that came back to haunt Aaronson, with Tchaouna’s world-class effort giving Burnley breathing space before they saw out a victory.
Aaronson was eventually hooked for Daniel James in the second half, and the Welshman provided much more of a threat than his teammate, though it was ultimately too little, too late for Farke to correct his mistakes in three huge points dropped.
Dan James runs with the ball during Leeds vs Newcastle in the Premier League
Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images
Daniel James should take Brenden Aaronson’s place in the Leeds squad
James’ return could now spell the end of Aaronson’s run in the team.
He hadn’t featured since mid-September’s loss to Fulham, and although James couldn’t get himself a goal contribution, he was much more dangerous.
Per Sofascore, Aaronson only had one dribble in over an hour, and lost possession seven times, as well as misplacing 20 percent of his passes in Burnley’s half. James, meanwhile, took on two dribbles, as well as producing eight crosses in his short time on the pitch with Burnley shutting up shop.
James had a loan spell at Fulham whilst Leeds were last in the Premier League, and he also featured 50 times for Manchester United in the top-flight.
With 57 appearances for Leeds and Fulham combined since his Old Trafford exit, his experience is well-suited to a potential relegation battle, especially with James being described as ‘excellent’ by Daniel Farke.
At the age of just 27, the Welsh international is coming into his prime years and should be trusted ahead of Aaronson, who has flattered to deceive.