Leeds can finally axe Aaronson by starting "superb" star out of position

After losing multiple key players over the summer, very few Leeds United supporters could’ve predicted the superb season they’ve endured in the Championship so far in 2024/25.

Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Glen Kamara all played key roles in Daniel Farke’s squad last campaign, but all departed Elland Road after their failure to secure promotion.

However, the side have returned with a vengeance under the German this season, sitting top of the table and in pole position to end their two-year stay in England’s second tier.

Whilst many of the first-team players have impressed over the last couple of months, numerous have failed to live up to the expectations many have set for them in Yorkshire.

Others have demonstrated glimpses of their quality, but ultimately, have been far too inconsistent over the last couple of months, putting their long-term future at the club in doubt.

Brenden Aaronson’s stats for Leeds in 2024/25

Midfielder Brenden Aaronson joined Leeds in a £25m deal from RB Salzburg during the summer of 2022, but left on loan last season – joining Bundesliga side Union Berlin after the Whites’ relegation.

However, he would return to Elland Road this campaign, impressing in spells, registering eight goals and two assists in his 34 league outings to date.

Whilst on the face of it, his record may seem impressive, the 24-year-old has only registered one goal contribution in 2025, with the only goal coming in the 7-0 demolition of Cardiff City.

Aaronson also failed to impress against Sheffield United on Monday night, being the first player to make way for the Whites as Farke hunted for an equaliser at Bramall Lane.

It was an example of how quiet and anonymous he can be in certain matches, just simply unable to extract his highest performance levels on a consistent basis since returning to the fold.

As a result, Farke may want to consider alternative options in the number 10 role, including one player who could offer a different option, albeit whilst featuring in an unfamiliar role.

The player who Farke needs to unleash to end Aaronson’s Leeds career

After Ethan Ampadu’s latest injury setback, Leeds now appear to be slightly light in the centre of the park, with the decision not to invest in the side in January now looking like the wrong one.

However, Farke will undoubtedly have faith in Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev to continue their partnership after starting together in the victory over their Yorkshire rivals a couple of days ago.

Their partnership could allow for fellow midfielder Joe Rothwell to operate in a slightly more advanced role, with his skill set potentially making him the perfect fit for the role.

The 30-year-old may only be on loan from Bournemouth, but he’s already adhered himself to the supporters with his impressive displays off the bench.

Rothwell, who’s previously been dubbed “superb” by journalist Rich Sharpe, produced his best display against Sunderland, registering two assists for Pascal Struijk in just 19 minutes of action – showcasing the danger he possesses.

When comparing his underlying stats with those of Aaronson, he has bettered the American international in numerous key areas, showcasing the talent he possesses, with Farke needing to reward him with a start in the number 10 role.

Given Bournemouth’s rise in the Premier League in recent months, a permanent deal could well be on the cards for Rothwell, regardless of whether the Whites secure promotion between now and the end of the season or not.

However, one thing is for sure, Aaronson’s inconsistency could hinder him going forward, with the aforementioned Rothwell arguably a better option in attackign areas given the figures he’s produced in recent months.

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