Three years makes a lot of difference; Leeds United are now a much different club from when they were relegated in 2023. The summer window before that season saw Jesse Marsch being heavily backed in the market.
The club spent over £100 million on recruits, most of them players from Red Bull affiliated clubs. That summer saw Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson, Max Wober and Rasmus Kristensen. Despite the spend that season, the Whites went down after changing managers three times in a desperate bid to avoid relegation.
Since that season, only two players are currently in the Leeds first team – Brenden Aaronson and Wilfried Gnonto; Max Wober is out on loan this season.
Brenden Aaronson opens up on early life at Leeds United
Aaronson could not have had a worse start to his Leeds career; in 40 games in all competitions, he managed just one goal and three assists combined. When the Whites went down to the Championship, he immediately went out on loan to Union Berlin in the Bundesliga. The American international opened up on his first year at the club:
“When I first came to this club, I was not in the right headspace. I was much younger. I didn’t know how to handle the pressure.
“I came in for a lot of money. It’s tough, and you’re a young kid. I’ve never experienced anything like that, coming from America. Red Bull Salzburg is a great club, but it doesn’t have a fanbase like Leeds’.
“It was definitely hard at first, and I learned a lot through that period.
“That’s finally what got me to today, where I don’t let that bother me.
“I talk to my fiancée, I talk to my parents, I talk to people I work with behind the scenes, and I’m really happy I have those people in that support system, helping me through moments that are tough.
“Some things do get to me, but I’m really able to focus on the next performance and come to training.”
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Midfielder has now settled at the club
When Aaronson returned from his loan, many expected him to be sold that summer. However, Daniel Farke found a new role in the team for him, playing as the number 10 in their 4-2-3-1 system. The Whites won the Championship that season, scoring 95 goals with Aaronson contribution nine goals and two assists – his most productive season.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 4 | 3 |
Even before this year began, many were not sure of his place in the team. But once again he has showed why Farke has trusted him so many times in his career as Leeds boss. Aaronson has adapted well to his new central role in the 3-5-2 and has been productive this campaign, with four goals and three assists. He has become a key part of the team, and Leeds play much better with him.
