Elland Road response to Leeds United man with 'credit in the bank' speaks volumes of recent turnaround
Brenden Aaronson has been a central part of Leeds United’s brilliant recent run after a difficult period.
Brenden Aaronson didn’t get a goal or an assist against Fulham on Saturday but he did come off to a standing ovation.
That Leeds United had just gone 1-0 up through Lukas Nmecha probably had a hand in the appreciative Elland Road applause, but it was also an applause well-deserved. Aaronson had been excellent all game. He’s been excellent for a few weeks now.
Since coming back into the starting line-up against Crystal Palace last month, the American can stake a claim to be one of Leeds’ most influential attackers. December Player of the Month Dominic Calvert-Lewin has rightly received the plaudits but behind him, Aaronson’s turnaround has been at least as remarkable, if not more.
Daniel Farke was forced into a passionate defence of Aaronson who after his 12th consecutive Premier League appearance against Aston Villa in November, had just one goal and one assist. The German hit out at criticism of a player who ‘leaves his heart on the pitch’ before removing him from the spotlight with a trio of benchings.
In six starts since, Aaronson has scored three and assisted one. He’s also played some of the best and most consistent football of his Leeds career. Against Fulham his most notable moment was a glaring chance blazed over but when Elland Roads-gone-by might have groaned and called for change, Saturday’s response pointed towards credit in the bank.
Aaronson hasn’t had credit in the bank for some time at Leeds but alongside the recent goals and assists, his overall performances have helped to stockpile a little. Enough so that his handball which gave Newcastle a chance to pull level at 3-3 before netting a winner last week was the unfortunate end to a brilliant individual performance.
The 25-year-old scored twice that evening and was Leeds’ most dangerous attacker, running at the Newcastle defence with confidence. According to FBRef, he completed three take-ons, five progressive carries and three successful passes into the penalty area at St James’ Park - numbers not seen since October’s 2-1 win at home to West Ham in which he was outstanding.
A directness has emerged in recent weeks, with the American more willing to run at defenders instead of twisting and turning into trouble. That was no more evident than in the build-up to Calvert-Lewin’s brilliant equaliser at Sunderland, with Aaronson picking up the ball out wide on the right, instantly darting towards Granit Xhaka and finding his teammate with a great pass.
“I’m trying to be more direct because I’m playing in the winger position a little bit more,” Aaronson said after creating that goal. “I’m not normally a direct player like that, I like to be in between the lines, but I’ve been working on it and I’m happy to see it pay off.”
The opening goal against Manchester United was also the product of directness, Aaronson spotting an opportunity to meet Pascal Struijk’s hooked clearance before Ayden Heaven. One touch took it across the young defender and one finished beyond Senne Lammens.
Confidence breeding confidence for Brenden Aaronson
Growing confidence should only embolden the Leeds forward to do more of that good stuff and he is no doubt being helped by Calvert-Lewin, whose experience is as crucial as his goals. Aaronson also said after that Sunderland game he knew his teammate would be in the right place and that almost takes the decision on where to play the final ball out of his hands.
Decision-making has been a point of frustration regarding Aaronson, who seems to play football at such a frantic pace it’s impossible to pause and think, but the presence of Calvert-Lewin removes the need to decide. The Leeds striker will demand a pass into a certain area and the only thing left to do is execute it. At the minute Aaronson is executing it.
"This is some of the best football that I've been playing this season,” the in-form Leeds man recently admitted. “I think for me, the level that I'm playing at, levels to my games have gotten much bigger - ball retention, being able to hold off guys, it's at a high level right now.
"You've got to give yourself credit sometimes, but I work my ass off, and I'm going to continue to do that. I'm hungry, and I want to score goals, I want to get assists, and I want more of them."
Goals and assists didn’t come at Fulham but the recognition from Elland Road for another serious stint did. More credit banked.