Saturday saw Leeds United play their fourth of five pre-season games as they returned to Elland Road to face Champions League side Villarreal, the game ending in a 1-1 draw.
Worryingly, Leeds were without a number of players. Goalkeeper Lucas Perri is fighting a small injury he arrived with when joining from Lyon, while Daniel Farke says he is concerned about Jayden Bogle’s knock.
Dan James and Jack Harrison were also missing due to muscle strains, while Sebastiaan Bornauw was always expected to be absent until the Milan game, having picked up a muscle issue while in Germany.
It saw Leeds start with Willy Gnonto on the left, and Brenden Aaronson playing slightly out of position on the right flank. Aaronson actually enjoyed one of his better days, against Champions League opposition.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty ImagesDaniel Farke was furious with Brenden Aaronson on Saturday
Farke actually praised Aaronson after the match, stating the £25m man put in a good shift despite the American having only returned properly just over a week ago, after playing for the USA at The Gold Cup.
During the match, Farke is renowned for being a perfectionist. Having faced each other for their countries after the end of the season, Aaronson and Schmidt teamed up on Leeds’ right flank against Villarreal.
Not a usual combination, and it took the duo some time to get used to each other. Aaronson failed to find Schmidt’s run, before Aaronson failed to make a run, leading to Farke’s fury on the touchline.
Graham Smyth reported on the YEP that Farke ‘remonstrated furiously’ with Aaronson when he didn’t make a run for Schmidt, having failed to find Schmidt previously. Aaronson lasted until the 81st minute.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
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Where does Aaronson fit into Farke’s plans next season?
Realistically, Aaronson is not going to be an option for Farke out wide next season. Leeds currently have four wingers in James, Gnonto, Largie Ramazani, and Harrison, if the latter is reintegrated into the side.
Not for the first time, Farke played with a 4-3-3 system, two 8’s on either side of Ethan Ampadu in Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff. A more defensive-looking midfield that does not boast room for the 10 role.
Aaronson, then, has lost his major role in the side. He’s down the pecking order in terms of wingers and while he may be a solid, versatile option off the bench, he will want to be starting matches this season.
With his place in the United States not concrete by any stretch of the imagination, the United States are hosts for the 2026 World Cup. He won’t want to miss that, and he may need to consider his Leeds future.