In the first few games of the season, it was quite obvious that Leeds United would have some problems up top. The club spent £100million in the transfer window, but failed to make any significant attacking additions.
After Lukas Nmecha’s penalty sealed a win in the opener against Everton, Leeds went three more games without scoring from open play. Things were getting dire, but after the September international break, Daniel Farke tried something new. He introduced Dominic Calvert-Lewin into the lineup alongside Noah Okafor and Brenden Aaronson.
The American getting a chance in the first team this season came as a shock to many, he himself admitted during international duty that he did not know where his future lied with Leeds United.
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Brenden Aaronson has a horror show against Burnley
Brenden Aaronson Credit: Imago
On Saturday, Aaronson once again lined up in the front three at Turf Moor. Fans moaned when the lineup was announced, complaining about why Farke went with a wing pairing of Harrison and Aaronson. And to be fair to Daniel Farke, injuries had forced his hand – Dan James was the only first team winger fit enough to be on the bench.
The midfielder got a big chance in the game when he was through on goal, but his effort was denied by Dubravka who pushed the shot onto the woodwork. Outside that the American had a quiet game, he was his industrious self helping out defensively but going forward, there was nothing to write home about.
Daniel Farke needs to bench Leeds United man
Enough games have passed; this Aaronson experiment has outlived its usefulness. It makes sense in theory to deploy him wide, but he just does not offer anything substantial going forward to be a threat.
Brenden Aaronson is not a goal threat, is not consistently creative and cannot take on his man out wide. If Leeds are to really fix their attacking problems, Daniel Farke has to bench the American. Fans have to hope that Dan James and Wilfried Gnonto can stay fit down the line, and if there are funds available, a quality winger needs to be signed.
