{"id":552002,"date":"2025-11-06T02:54:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T02:54:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/552002\/"},"modified":"2025-11-06T02:54:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T02:54:19","slug":"why-leeds-uniteds-brenden-aaronson-is-proving-more-of-a-threat-than-man-citys-phil-foden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/552002\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Leeds United’s Brenden Aaronson is proving more of a threat than Man City’s Phil Foden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It has been an interesting start to the Premier League season for Brenden Aaronson. Not many will have seen The American retaining his place in Daniel Farke\u2019s starting line-up after promotion.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aaronson<\/a>, included. It is believed Aaronson even considered a return to German football<\/a> before opting to remain at Elland Road<\/a> this season. It is a move that has proved to have paid off for the \u00a325m signing.<\/p>\n

The former Salzburg ace was a sub for Leeds\u2019 first three Premier League<\/a> games, but has since started the last seven matches. After missing a sitter against Burnley, Aaronson scored in the win against West Ham.<\/p>\n

Probably his best performance in a Leeds shirt, also hitting the bar after a mazy run through the middle of the pitch. Now back in the America squad ahead of a home World Cup, Aaronson will be very pleased.<\/p>\n

\"BrendenPhoto by Robbie Jay Barratt \u2013 AMA\/Getty ImagesAaronson more of a threat than Man City\u2019s Phil Foden currently<\/p>\n

The stats show that actually, Aaronson is proving to be a danger in the final third, as well. Whether that be creating chances for his teammates, or getting himself into scoring positions as well, like West Ham.<\/p>\n

Aaronson is averaging an XG+XA [expected goals and expected assists] of 0.43 a game at the moment. It is the same as Jack Grealish at Everton, and Chelsea\u2019s Joao Pedro. The trio are joint 37th in the league.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\ude24 CROSSBAR! Aaronson turns on the boosters, drives from his own half all the way up the pitch, fires a shot at goal and it cannons off the crossbar! Still 2-0! pic.twitter.com\/liuxKw0Pzw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Leeds United (@LUFC) October 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

Impressive, given Aaronson\u2019s goal against West Ham remains his only goal involvement so far. That is not all down to Aaronson, with the player making chances against Bournemouth, Tottenham and more.<\/p>\n

MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES<\/p>\n

Interestingly, Aaronson has a better XG+XA per 90 than some big-name Premier League players. Man City\u2019s Phil Foden is in 50th with 0.38, while Newcastle United\u2019s Anthony Gordon is in joint 45th with 0.40.<\/p>\n\nPosition in PL<\/strong><\/td>\nName<\/strong><\/td>\nXG+XA per90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n1st and 2nd<\/td>\nErling Haaland
Eddie Nketiah<\/td>\n1.16
1.08<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n5th<\/td>\nLukas Nmecha<\/td>\n0.85<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nJoint 37th<\/td>\nBrenden Aaronson
Joao Pedro
Antoine Semenyo
Jack Grealish<\/td>\n0.43<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nJoint 45th<\/td>\nAnthony Gordon
David Brooks<\/td>\n0.40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nJoint 49th<\/td>\nCallum Wilson
Phil Foden<\/td>\n0.38<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nJoint 55th<\/td>\nEmi Buendia
Noah Okafor
Wilson Isidor
Gabriel Martinelli
Alejandro Garnacho
Matheus Cunha<\/td>\n0.35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Is Brenden Aaronson performance to his Leeds United XG+XA?<\/p>\n

The simple answer is, no. However, that is not all down to Aaronson himself. While he should have scored the gilt-edged chance he was afforded against Burnley, chances he has created have also been missed.<\/p>\n

\"PhilPhoto by Shaun Brooks \u2013 CameraSport via Getty Images<\/p>\n

His overhead kick towards Dominic Calvert-Lewin against Bournemouth, for example, should have gone in. But Calvert-Lewin headed tamely at the goalkeeper. His effort led to Okafor\u2019s goal against Spurs.<\/p>\n

Aaronson has an expected XG+XA of 3.04 so far in the Premier League. It means he should be on at least three goals and assists so far, but the American has one. He and his teammates need to take chances.<\/p>\n

Whether he gets the chance to do that on Sunday afternoon, when Leeds go to Nottingham Forest, remains to be seen. Dan James is fit again and Willy Gnonto is expected to be involved after injury.<\/p>\n