Brenden Aaronson was the difference on Sunday evening when Leeds United beat Derby County at Pride Park 1-0 to record their second consecutive away league victory. Their win and Sheffield United’s failure to beat West Brom at home means Leeds now have a two-point lead at the top of the Championship standings. The American’s goal has put them on course for automatic promotion this season.
Aaronson has come to the fore for Leeds in the last few games after struggling to make an impact and is now repaying the faith Farke has placed in him since the start of the campaign.
The American decided to stay at Leeds and help their push for promotion this season after spending the last campaign on loan at Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.
Aaronson has come under criticism for his lack of output in the attacking midfield role and question marks remain over his physical abilities in the Championship.
However, the 24-year-old attacking midfielder seems to be coming into his own in the second half of the season and has made a major impact in games during the festive period.
His performances have played a key role in ensuring that Leeds get into the New Year at the top of the Championship table and look like the real deal for automatic promotion to the Premier League at the end of the season.
Brenden Aaronson is proving his worth to Leeds United
Aaronson’s physical ability came under more scrutiny because the goals and assists were not flowing and as an attacking midfielder he needed to do more.
The numbers are now getting better and he has scored three goals, registered one assist in his last five Championship games and is gradually emerging as a key player for Leeds.
Aaronson has started 22 of Leeds’ 24 Championship games, which means Farke never lost trust in him despite some of his more middling performances.
That faith is now getting repaid with the regular goal contributions and the attacking midfielder is now an unlikely hero for the Leeds supporters at this stage of the season.
His overall performances have also been improving and his underlying numbers against Derby County showed he did more than just score the winning goal.
Aaronson should have scored more as he missed two more quality chances. But he was a continued menace with his crisp passing and running.
The winning goal was a result of a brilliant move between Manor Solomon, Joel Piroe and Aaronson who made the third man run to receive the ball inside the penalty box.
The American needs to hold on to this momentum
Brenden Aaronson still has detractors as many Leeds fans have not forgiven him for leaving the Whites on loan following their relegation from the Premier League.
He was one of the worst performers for Leeds in their relegation campaign and needs to do a lot more to win over the Leeds supporters this season.
The American doesn’t have the build to win physical duels in the middle of the park but in the last few games, he has shown his ability to make a telling contribution in the final third.
Three goals in five is really good form and Leeds need more of this from Aaronson for the rest of the season as he is an area of the team in the number 10 role.
Farke has rotated the squad in the last few games to ease the physical load on the players. However, the Leeds boss has not decided to give a rest to the American midfielder. It shows how much importance he places on Aaronson.
It would not be a surprise if the attacking midfield starts again when Leeds host Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road on New Year’s Day. Aaronson needs to keep this going to continue to win over the Whites fans.
