The 2024/25 season was full of ups and downs for Leeds United fans, who wear their hearts on their sleeves at all times. Next season could prove much the same.
It can often be doom and gloom at Leeds United. One minute they’re simply unbeatable and the next, they’re the worst, and whoever the manager is is the worst manager the club has ever had.
That was at times the case last season. Specifically, when Leeds United drew 1-1 away at Luton Town and dropped down into 3rd place of the Championship table, there were serious questions being asked about Daniel Farke.
But when he lifted the Championship title on the final day of the season, there were no doubts that he was the right man for the job all along.
Likewise, there were several players who came under the spotlight, perhaps none more so than Brenden Aaronson. Throughout the campaign, Leeds United fans gave their verdict on Aaronson and many were critical.
That’s despite Aaronson featuring in all 46 Championship games, scoring nine and assisting twice. Though many argue that Aaronson doesn’t contribute enough in that vital no.10 role and that an upgrade is needed.
Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty ImagesBrenden Aaronson’s Leeds United future could now be in doubt
Soon after the end of the season, former Whites striker Mike Grella suggested that Leeds United need to upgrade Aaronson this summer. And almost every Leeds United fan will agree on that, with several potential candidates to come join and fill that position this summer.
Two such players are Emi Buendia and Gustavo Hamer. Both are long-term targets for Farke and both look set to be on the move this summer: Bayer Leverkusen aren’t signing Buendia following his loan spell at the club, and Hamer looks likely to leave Sheffield United after the Blades missed out on promotion.
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Speaking to TBR Football, transfer expert Graeme Bailey revealed how the pair are very well-liked at Elland Road, but that one or both of them arriving in West Yorkshire could see Aaronson leave: “In terms of who they sign, I think the no.10 will be Hamer or Buendia, I think it’ll be one of those two,” Bailey said.
“It might be Hamer because he’ll end up being cheaper, but Farke likes Buendia an awful lot so that might go a long way. Does his injury record go against him? Possibly. I think he or Buendia will go there and that might see Aaronson move on actually.”
Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty ImagesThe arguments for and against keeping Brenden Aaronson at Leeds United
Whilst many Leeds United fans have washed their hands of Aaronson, there’s certainly a case to keep him at the club. The main argument being that he brings depth, if nothing else.
He’s arguably the only out and out no.10 at the club right now and should either Buendia and/or Hamer arrive, Farke could do with keeping Aaronson about in case one of them picks up an injury.
And in fairness, when Aaronson is at his best, he’s a good player. The question is whether he can do that in the Premier League and do so on a much more regular basis than he did last season.
The arguments against keeping the USMNT man seem purely financial. Aaronson is out of contract in 2027 and so time is ticking for Leeds United to try and recoup what they can of the £25million they paid to sign him in 2022: relegation next season would weaken their selling stance and so a sale this summer could make more sense.
And per Salary Sport, Aaronson earns £25,000-a-week at Elland Road, so selling him would open up a nice chunk of the wage bill, although that might not be a whole lot in the grand scheme of things following promotion.
It’s certainly one for Farke and indeed Aaronson to weigh up this summer.