Inside Elland Road: Can Leeds Utd fans hold their nerve?
Leeds United midfielder Brenden Aaronson is hoping to feature for the United States in two friendlies over the coming days.
Leeds United midfielder Brenden Aaronson has revealed the message given to him by United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino that has inspired an upturn in form for club and country.
The former Philadelphia Union and RB Salzburg star has endured mixed fortunes at Elland Road since joining the Whites in a big money move during the summer of 2022. After making 40 appearances in his first season with the club, Aaronson was part of the side that were relegated into the Championship after an unsuccessful battle against the drop.
The versatile midfielder made a temporary switch away from Elland Road at the end of the season after agreeing to join Bundesliga club Union Berlin on a season-long loan deal before returning to Leeds 12 months later. Aaronson was a regular feature in the Whites side that secured promotion back into the Premier League at the second attempt last season and has scored one goal and one assist in his first 11 appearances back into the top tier.
Aaronson’s form at club level was not enough to secure a call-up to the United States squad during the September international break but he earned his 54th international cap in a 2-1 friendly win against Australia last month. The Whites star will hope to will hope to feature over the coming days as Pochettino’s side face a friendly double-header with Paraguay and Uruguay - and he revealed what the former Spurs head coach told him ahead of his return to the international scene.
Mentality
DECISION: Taken by USA boss Mauricio Pochettino, above, to keep Leeds United's Brenden Aaronson on the bench.placeholder image
DECISION: Taken by USA boss Mauricio Pochettino, above, to keep Leeds United's Brenden Aaronson on the bench. | Getty Images
Speaking earlier this week, the Whites star said: “I think the communication was to keep going. I think that’s always [the message] from him. Even personally, I think that when I didn’t get called to camp or this or that, I think my mentality is always, you know, I can get better and better and keep showing on the pitch.
“That’s what I’ve been trying to do at Leeds, is to continue to play, week in, week out, and to show and even when I do come with the national team, it’s a show that I want to be part of this team and yeah, and help the team in any way I can. Then when I’m back at Leeds play at the highest level and continue to play week in, week out and do the best I can.
“I think that the confidence that I have now and the sustainability of it is at a really good level. I’m happy with my mental space, and I think that’s the biggest thing in football. When you’re playing at your best level, you have the confidence, and that’s what I feel like is changing my game.”
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