When Leeds United fans think back to their first eight games of this Premier League season, Brenden Aaronson’s performances will certainly be considered one of the shining lights. The American has arguably been the Whites’ best piece of summer business, hitting the ground running at Elland Road following his arrival from Red Bull Salzburg.
Aaronson’s ability and confidence with the ball at his feet has seen him receive plenty of praise from around the competition. Thomas Frank even hailed the USA international as a ‘top buy’ after seeing his Brentford side demolish Leeds 5-2 in the capital.
He’s still only 21 years old and his displays have underlined him as one of the brightest young stars currently plying their trade in the top flight. His contribution to wins over Wolves and Chelsea saw him truly announce himself and he bagged the opening goal of the game in the latter, stealing the ball off the dithering Edouard Mendy and poking the ball into the empty net.
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That Chelsea game well and truly ensured the secret was out on Aaronson, though, and since then teams have actively tried to nullify his threat. The American is one of the best when it comes to operating in tight spaces, his work in the build-up to Leeds’ goal on Sunday at Selhurst Park showed that, skipping over five challenges before curling an effort onto the foot of the post.
However, even he will struggle to have an impact on the game when he is constantly being either swarmed by defenders or shoved down a cul-de-sac. Aaronson’s threat was largely controlled in the second half in south London and, although Leeds were reduced to 10 men for a large chunk of the game, he failed to make a significant impact against Aston Villa the week previous.
“I think most opponents are addressing him as someone that they need to keep track of tactically when they play,” Marsch admitted on Sunday afternoon after seeing his side beaten by Crystal Palace. “It means that he has to have quicker solutions sometimes, when we win balls or when he’s in an open space, that he can release balls and then get it maybe again and be very active with his movement.”
Indeed, being active with his movement, particularly off the ball, might just be the key to seeing Aaronson replicate his performance against Chelsea on a regular basis, with the stats suggesting he struggled to receive the ball in areas where he can hurt an opponent.
In the first four games of the year, Aaronson was on the end of eight progressive passes per game, on average, according to stats site FBref.com, picking it up in advanced areas of the field before looking to do something with it. Against Palace, though, he received just two progressive passes, which are defined as moving the ball at least 10 yards towards goal or a pass into the penalty area.
The problem here may lie in Leeds’ struggles to shift forward and attack, particularly in the second half at Selhurst, but it also could be used to point to how Aaronson came into possession. If the midfielder was involved more regularly in attacking patterns of play, this figure would undoubtedly have been higher.
Aaronson’s progressive distance covered in possession was also a season low on Sunday, carrying the ball just 30 yards towards goal. Against Chelsea that figure was 92 yards, while it was 125 yards against Wolves on the opening day.
Again, it points to where Aaronson is picking the ball up and whether he is finding the space required to do serious damage. Keeping on the progressive theme, he managed three progressive passes himself against both Wolves and Chelsea, but he’s made a combined total of three in the five games since then.
Of course, Leeds haven’t won a game in that time, either, and it’s fair to say that they haven’t done enough creatively as a team. However, if they can find Aaronson space and time moving into the attacking third of the field, he has already shown he can make the difference.
It must be said, most of his number have remained consistent throughout the season, with stability on show when it comes to his short and medium passing game, his shot-creating actions and his touches of the ball. Even his pressing figures, a big part of his game off the ball, look consistent.
The stats tell the story of key player, that’s clear, but he could make even more of an impact and he’ll be keen to inspire Leeds to a third victory of the season this Sunday when they take on Arsenal at Elland Road.
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