As Leeds United prepare for their FA Cup fourth-round clash against Millwall at Elland Road on Saturday, February 8, 2025, Daniel Farke may face a tough decision regarding Brenden Aaronson’s place in the starting lineup. Despite being a key figure in Leeds’ Championship campaign this season, with eight goals and two assists, the American midfielder has been a divisive figure among fans, often facing criticism on social media for inconsistent performances.
Aaronson, 24, has started 29 of Leeds’ 31 league matches this season and has earned the trust of Farke since returning from his loan spell at Union Berlin. His attacking contributions have been valuable, but many supporters feel his overall impact doesn’t always justify his inclusion, especially when considering the other attacking options at the manager’s disposal. With Leeds’ primary focus on securing promotion back to the Premier League, the FA Cup fixture against Millwall presents an opportunity for Farke to experiment with his lineup and tactics, which could lead to Aaronson being benched in favor of another creative player.
Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson has weighed in on the discussion, suggesting that Farke should consider alternative options for the No. 10 role. Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson highlighted that the manager had already looked into reinforcing the attacking midfield position in the last transfer window. He mentioned that Leeds have several players who could step into the role if Aaronson were to be dropped, including Joel Piroe, Dan James, Manor Solomon, Largie Ramazani, and Wilfried Gnonto.
“I like Joel Piroe in that role, but looking at the players at his disposal, Manor Solomon and Dan James could both play there,” Robinson said. “Take Aaronson out, and play James instead, or Solomon – he’s been brilliant.”
While James is known for his pace and directness on the wing, Robinson suggested that shifting him centrally might take away some of his key strengths. Instead, he pointed to Solomon as a strong candidate for the role, emphasizing the Israeli international’s technical ability and playmaking skills.
Solomon, who joined Leeds on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, has been a standout performer this season. Primarily operating from the left wing, the 24-year-old has impressed with six goals and six assists in 24 Championship appearances, becoming one of the most dangerous attacking threats in Farke’s squad. However, he has also played as an attacking midfielder at previous clubs, and Robinson believes this could be the perfect opportunity for him to showcase his versatility.
“Putting the Welshman [Dan James] there might mean losing a bit of his pace, so Largie Ramazani can play at No.10, so too can Gnonto,” Robinson added. “He’s got the option to change it up, and I think he should.”
With Leeds set to face a physical and aggressive Millwall side, Farke will need to carefully consider his approach. The FA Cup presents a different challenge from the Championship, and while Leeds are expected to progress, rotation could be key to keeping the squad fresh for the league campaign. Solomon’s ability to create chances, dribble past defenders, and link up with the forwards makes him an intriguing option to play behind the striker.
Aaronson’s work rate and pressing ability have been valuable to Farke’s tactical setup, but if the manager wants to add more creativity and goal threat from central areas, giving Solomon a chance in the No. 10 role could be a logical move. At the same time, players like Ramazani and Gnonto could also provide something different in that position, especially with their ability to operate between the lines and exploit spaces in the final third.
The decision to drop Aaronson—if Farke chooses to do so—would be a significant one, given his status as a regular starter. However, with Leeds pushing hard for automatic promotion, the manager may see this FA Cup clash as an opportunity to test alternative setups that could be useful later in the season. Regardless of what Farke decides, this match could be an important one for Leeds, not just in terms of progressing in the cup but also in shaping their tactical approach for the remainder of the campaign.