I played 450 Premier League games - World Cup pushback on Leeds United star is wrong
Questions have been asked over the World Cup involvement of one Leeds United star.
A former Premier League veteran and USA international has hit back at concerns surrounding Leeds United midfielder Brenden Aaronson’s World Cup involvement.
Aaronson is part of a USA side preparing to co-host this summer’s major tournament with Canada and Mexico. The 25-year-old had missed out on previous squads but was rewarded for a productive campaign of four goals and five assists in 37 top-flight games with Leeds.
According to former goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who played 450 Premier League games and has 82 USA caps, there has been some ‘pushback’ across the Atlantic regarding Aaronson. But the 55-year-old disagrees ‘wholeheartedly’ with those concerns.
“I don’t think he’s been underrated,” Friedel told MrQ of Aaronson. “You know, his stats say that he hasn’t been as good in the past as he has been this season.
“He’s actually someone who’s getting a little bit of pushback from the pundits in the US. I disagree with the pundits in the US wholeheartedly on this.
“I think to be able to navigate yourself into starting positions at Premier League clubs means that you have something about you, and his work rate is where it should be. On top of that, his tactical and technical abilities have been improved really well.”
Aaronson watched the USA’s first of two warm-up friendlies from the bench as his side beat Senegal 3-2. The Leeds star has rushed back from getting married in New Jersey and will hope to play an active role against Germany on Saturday.
The USA then kick-off their home tournament against Paraguay in the early hours of Saturday June 13, UK time, before group stage meetings with Australia and Türkiye. Friedel expects ‘total pro’ Aaronson to make an impact, be it from the start or off the bench.
“He’s a player that, if needed off the bench, can provide a real good spark, whether you’re trying to protect a lead or if you need to claw one back,” Friedel added. “So I’m fully for his inclusion, and I think he had a very strong season. His strongest trait is that he’s a total pro, to be honest.”