Brenden Aaronson is now just three games shy of clocking up 100 appearances for Leeds United but on Friday night, he arguably produced the best of his entire Elland Road stint.
A spell that started so brightly following his £25m move in 2022. Tackling Edouard Mendy and scoring against Chelsea in a 3-0 win, arguably getting a touch in a 2-1 win against Wolves under Jesse Marsch.
But after one official goal and just three assists in 40 games that season, Aaronson was one of eight to jump ship using Victor Orta’s clause. After Union Berlin, Aaronson returned to Elland Road last season.
Only 11 goals and assists came despite starting 44 Championship games. Yet, Daniel Farke continues to place his faith in Aaronson despite many of the opinion he is not strong enough to play English football.
Brenden Aaronson scores for Leeds.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Brenden Aaronson continues to prove myth wrong v West Ham
Aaronson has now started six league games in a row, ending a three-year wait for a Premier League goal on Friday night. It comes after missing a sitter against Burnley, but opening the scoring during the victory.
However, what has been going under the radar is Aaronson’s improving physicality. Aaronson won eight duels of 12 in the 2-1 win over West Ham, joint-first for Leeds alongside striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Only two more players won duels in Jean-Clair Todibo and Lucas Paqueta. It is a trend that has emerged this term, that Aaronson is winning duels. Aaronson actually wins duels more often than any Leeds player.
Duels won during Leeds v West Ham:
Name Club Duels won Duels lost Success rate %
Lucas Paqueta West Ham 12 9 57.1
Jean-Clair Todibo West Ham 9 5 64.3
Max Kilman West Ham 8 2 80
Brenden Aaronson Leeds 8 4 66.6
Dominic Calvert-Lewin Leeds 8 12 40
Brenden Aaronson definitely starts against Brighton
Farke may be forced to make one or two changes through injury, but there is no doubt that Aaronson retains his place on the right flank. Even if Dan James is fit enough to go again, and Willy Gnonto returns.
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Gabriel Gudmundsson was forced off and while it was an impact injury, it might be that the left-back is given a rest. James Justin certainly didn’t look out of place when he came on to replace Gudmundsson.
There is a case to bring Anton Stach back into the midfield, while it will be interesting to see if Noah Okafor has come through the game well enough to retain his spot. But Aaronson starts at Brighton.