Leeds United have been busy rebuilding their squad after a tough season that saw them fall short of promotion to the Premier League.
Following a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Southampton in the play-off final, the club saw several key players leave, including Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville, and Archie Gray.
These departures brought in over £100m, but it left the squad needing fresh faces and new energy.
Summer Recruits Making an Impact
Manager Daniel Farke has done well with his summer signings, bringing in players like Ao Tanaka and Jayden Bogle, who have helped Leeds stay competitive.
Tanaka, a 26-year-old midfielder from Fortuna Düsseldorf, has strengthened the team in the middle of the park. In the recent win over Oxford United, Tanaka didn’t score or assist but dominated the midfield with 122 touches, 100 completed passes, and ten recoveries.
His performances show he’s the perfect box-to-box player Leeds needed.
Bogle, signed from Sheffield United for £5m, has also impressed. Playing as a right-back, he’s contributed three goals this season, more than strikers Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph.
His attacking ability has been a bonus for the team as they push for promotion.
Aaronson’s Struggles at Leeds
While the summer recruits have delivered, Brenden Aaronson hasn’t been able to live up to expectations.
Signed for £24.7m in 2022, the American international has had a rocky time at Elland Road.
Last season, he was loaned out to Union Berlin after Leeds’ relegation. Now back in the squad, he’s scored six goals and provided two assists this campaign, but his performances often leave fans frustrated.
Pundits like Jon Newsome have criticised Aaronson, calling him “lightweight,” and his £45k-per-week wages are raising eyebrows.
Compared to teammates like Tanaka (£25k-p/w) and Bogle (£30k-p/w), Aaronson’s salary seems excessive, especially when his contributions on the pitch don’t match up.
Time to Sell?
Aaronson has cost Leeds around £32m so far, including his wages and transfer fee.
That breaks down to roughly £4.5m per goal, a figure that highlights the poor return on investment.
Selling him in the January window could free up funds for new signings to help Leeds strengthen their promotion push.
Leeds have scored 41 goals this season and sit just three points off the top, but improving their squad further could make all the difference.
With Aaronson underperforming, it might be time for Leeds to cut their losses and invest in fresh talent to boost their chances of returning to the Premier League.
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