The 49ers have a golden opportunity this summer at Leeds United.
With the Elland Road outfit moving ever closer to Premier League survival by the week, those at Elland Road have the chance to splash the cash and achieve more than just survival next season.
noah-okafor-leeds
If they want to avoid a classic case of second-season syndrome, then they simply have to be ruthless.
Now is not the time for sentiment. It's time to land some crucial upgrades before Daniel Farke has a Rodrigo repeat on his hands.
Why Leeds need to avoid a Rodrigo repeat
To their credit, Leeds have spent well since returning to the Premier League. It seems as though they've learned from past mistakes, albeit the harsh way, and are reaping the rewards as a result.
Leeds United's most expensive signings of all time
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But it wasn't so long ago that Rodrigo represented everything wrong with their recruitment model. Whilst the Spaniard did enjoy some moments to remember, he did not have the consistency needed to keep the Whites afloat in the Premier League, especially for a £26m star.
For a player of his calibre, Leeds had every right to expect more. Rodrigo arrived off the back of 63 goal involvements in 120 games and became the club's record signing at the time.
As far as statement signings go, he was right up there at the start of the 20/21 season and even enjoyed a solid debut campaign - scoring nine goals in all competitions.
Leeds United's Rodrigo
It sums up Rodrigo's Leeds career that he was in the form of his life just when the rest of his teammates couldn't match his quality - enjoying his best campaign when they were relegated in 2022/23.
Rodrigo at Leeds Goals Assists
2020/21 9 3
2021/22 6 1
2022/23 15 2
Alas, even in his best campaign, the former Valencia man lacked consistency - scoring just three goals in his last 15 Premier League games when Leeds needed his quality more than ever.
Ultimately, his time in Yorkshire ended in the ultimate frustration and now there's every chance that another big-money star could follow in his footsteps.
£25m Aaronson is fast becoming the next Rodrigo
A big-money false nine who has all the quality in the world without the consistency must sound fairly familiar to those at Elland Road. These days, it's not Rodrigo in that role. Instead, it's Brenden Aaronson.
The American looked to have finally found his role when Farke switched formation to a back five, adding a No.10 and occasionally a false nine alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin - the perfect role for Aaronson.
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As soon as the change took place, the £25m star scored five goals and assisted another two in the next seven games that followed, which included a goal and an assist against Man United and Liverpool. He had finally found form in a Leeds shirt.
|Aaronson since system change|
|Metric|First 7 games|Last 11 games|
|---|
|Minutes|456|825|
|Goals|5|0|
|Assists|2|1|
The numbers do not make for good reading. Just like Rodrigo, Aaronson is failing to make an impact at the business end of the season. Just like Rodrigo, he's an inconsistent big-money forward. Compared to his first seven games, the attacking midfielder has failed to find the back of the net once and created just one other goal in his last 11 Premier League appearances.
Unlike Rodrigo, he is very lucky to have an impressive team around him who are completing the job of survival. But that's not to say Farke can afford to risk keeping Aaronson in his side this summer.
Aaronson
The Leeds boss must show the struggling 25-year-old the door in pursuit of an instant upgrade. The ball is in the 49ers' court this summer and they must use it to welcome key reinforcements.
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Leeds United look set to delve into the transfer window once again this summer.