The 49ers attacked key problems at Leeds United this summer. The first focused on tying down the best players in the team, before adding some serious quality to the first team squad.
Ethan Ampadu was the first to commit his future to the club, signing a long term extension.
Club chairman Paraag Marathe said neither side hesitated to put pen-to-paper. Ampadu was the first and then some key players in the spine of the team followed; Joe Rodon and Jaden Bogle also signed new deals.
One contract that caught almost everyone by surprise in Brenden Aaronson.
The midfielder has been a polarizing figure at Elland Road ever since he arrived as a big-money transfer years ago.
49ers’ £11m Leeds disaster is spiralling out of control
Dan James and Brenden Aaronson. Credit: IMAGO
He was signed at the height of the Red Bull partnership, in one summer window, Leeds United bought as many Red Bull players as possible to help Jesse Marsch stabilize the team.
But just weeks into the new season, the decision to offer Aaronson a new contract is looking like a terrible choice.
The midfielder has just one goal in nine appearances this season, making just four starts in all competitions. Last year, Farke used him in a variety of roles, even as a wiger and in midfield areas.
Harr Wilson seems to have changed that since arriving; with the Welshman occupying the position Aaronson used to play.
It is very early in the campaign, and there is a lot to play but the contract is not lookig like a great idea going forward. Aaroson no longer seems to be Farke’s tactical weapon, and spends most time on the bech.
READ MORE: Daniel Farke sends the 49ers a brutal £26m message with ruthless Leeds decision
Future is looking bleak for Brenden Aaronson
Arguably the worst part of this whole Aaronson situation is the contract itself; the midfielder signed up until June 2029, guaranteeing a three-year stay at Elland Road.
No one knows the exact details of the deal, but it is likely that the new contract came with an increase in wages.
Leeds having a player that barely plays in the team on high wages is a bad look; it is now almost impossible to offload him in the near future. Now that he is not producing numbers, teams will find it difficult to justify paying a transfer fee.
The 49ers had the right idea in tying down important members of the team, but as seen this season, Brenden Aaronson is far from that.
The lads down the pub do not rate Brenden Aaronson but he deserves a better critique than The Leeds Press can offer. This forum requires improvement and better quality journalism.