Brenden Aaronson Reignites His Leeds United Career in Pre-Season Stalemate With Villarreal – But Midfield Questions Linger
As pre-season friendlies go, the recent clash between Leeds United and Villarreal was far from a classic. Played in front of a patient home crowd at Elland Road, it offered little in the way of entertainment, drama, or cutting-edge football. Yet from the uneventful goalless draw emerged one significant silver lining: Brenden Aaronson, a player whose Leeds future has been under scrutiny, delivered a performance that may have rekindled belief in his potential.
The 24-year-old American, often criticised for lacking end product and physical robustness, looked like a man playing with renewed confidence and freedom — and critically, in a role that suited him far better than previous positions. His bright, inventive display on the right wing stood out not only because the game around him lacked intensity, but because it offered a glimpse of a more defined future for a player many had started to write off.
But as Leeds edge closer to their Premier League return, the Aaronson breakthrough also sheds light on a more pressing issue: a creative vacuum in the centre of midfield. With the American now better suited to a wide role, and others failing to seize the number ten position, the club must act swiftly in the transfer market if they are to avoid another campaign of attacking inconsistency.
A Career at the Crossroads
Brenden Aaronson’s time at Leeds United has been anything but straightforward. Signed in the summer of 2022 for a reported £25 million from RB Salzburg — a club with close Red Bull ties to former manager Jesse Marsch — expectations were high. His high-energy style, technical flair, and reputation as a pressing machine made him an intriguing addition to a Leeds side still adapting to life without Marcelo Bielsa.
But after a promising start in the Premier League, Aaronson’s form quickly deteriorated. He was too often crowded out of games, unable to impact proceedings in tight spaces, and found himself physically outmatched by stronger opposition midfielders. When Leeds were relegated to the Championship, his confidence was clearly shaken. His loan to Union Berlin in the Bundesliga during the 2023–24 season offered hope of a reset, but limited playing time and tactical mismatches meant he returned this summer with more questions than answers.
This pre-season was billed as a pivotal moment. Could Aaronson prove himself again under new management? Did he still have a role to play at a club reshaping its identity? Against Villarreal, he may have provided a definitive answer.
The Tactical Shift: Why the Right Wing Works
Aaronson was fielded in an unfamiliar right-wing role, drifting wide from a high starting position rather than operating as a central attacking midfielder — and it changed everything.
On the flank, he had more space to receive the ball and was less frequently targeted physically. He used his quick turns, clever movement, and one-touch passing to link with overlapping full-backs and cut inside when needed. While he didn’t register a goal or assist, he was consistently Leeds’ most progressive attacking threat, breaking lines and dragging Villarreal defenders out of shape.
This positional adjustment did two things:
- It reduced the pressure on Aaronson to dictate tempo centrally.
- It allowed him to play to his strengths — speed, agility, and spatial awareness.
Fan reaction was overwhelmingly positive:
“Aaronson best player for us by a country mile today.”
“Great bit of play from Aaronson, more effective out wide imo.”
“A man reborn.”
It wasn’t just about an improved performance — it was about an identity restored. Aaronson looked like he belonged again, not just as a squad option, but as a genuine asset with tactical utility.
Leeds’ Number Ten Problem — and Why It Matters Now
The irony of Aaronson’s resurgence out wide is that it leaves a void in the number ten role — a position that Daniel Farke’s 4-2-3-1 system depends on for creativity and control in the final third.
Against Villarreal, the lack of a natural playmaker in that central pocket was glaring. Leeds struggled to link midfield and attack fluidly, and their inability to break down a compact Villarreal defence mirrored some of their issues from last season. It’s not that the players lacked effort — it’s that there was no clear architect, no one to unlock a defence with a pass or movement between the lines.
With Aaronson now likely to remain out wide, Farke’s need for a true number ten becomes urgent and non-negotiable. As the Premier League campaign looms, the difference between survival and relegation could well hinge on having a player who can orchestrate attacks, create chances from nothing, and carry the team in tight matches.
The name most frequently linked is Bilal El Khannouss, the 20-year-old Moroccan international known for his vision, technical control, and game intelligence. But while negotiations continue behind the scenes, time is ticking — and Leeds cannot afford to be passive in the market.
Other Observations: A Mixed Bag Elsewhere
While Aaronson’s display was the clear headline, there were other individual performances worth noting — both positive and worrying.
Anton Stach – A Midfield Anchor With Promise
The German international impressed again with a composed, intelligent showing in midfield. Calm under pressure, tidy in possession, and strong in defensive transitions, Stach looks like a player who could become indispensable for Farke. He brings much-needed balance and positional awareness — something the Leeds midfield lacked at times last season.
Largie Ramazani – Earning His Place
Ramazani, another standout throughout pre-season, once again showed why he’s pushing for a starting spot on the left wing. Direct, quick, and willing to take on defenders, he could fill the void left by Jack Harrison — especially if the latter departs permanently this summer.
Isaac Schmidt – A Step Too Soon?
In contrast, Isaac Schmidt’s performance did little to inspire confidence. Lacking influence and consistency in midfield, the young Swiss loanee looked off the pace, and his upcoming move to Werder Bremen may be essential for his development. He’s a talent worth nurturing, but not one ready to start in the Premier League just yet.
The Road Ahead: What Leeds Must Do Now
As Leeds prepare for their Premier League return, several truths are becoming increasingly clear:
Brenden Aaronson may finally have found his best role at the club — as a right-sided attacker rather than a central midfielder.
Leeds need a natural number ten to complete their attacking structure and avoid becoming too predictable in the final third.
Pre-season has offered both reassurance and reminders: reassurance that players like Aaronson and Ramazani are ready to step up, and reminders that squad depth and balance still require work.
With a few weeks left in the transfer window, recruitment will define whether this promising pre-season progress translates into a successful top-flight campaign. Aaronson’s performance is a boost, but it’s not a solution to everything. Farke and the board must now act decisively to reinforce the areas where the club remains vulnerable.
Final Word: Rebirth, Realism, and Readiness
Brenden Aaronson’s revival is more than a feel-good moment in pre-season. It’s a sign of resilience from a player written off too early, and of tactical clarity from a manager willing to adjust and experiment.
But it also serves as a reminder of the broader work Leeds United still have to do. The squad is improving, but far from complete. And while Aaronson may now be part of the solution, the question of who leads from the centre — who controls, creates, and converts — remains the defining challenge of this summer.
In the Premier League, moments of quality are everything. If Leeds want more of them, they must move now, or risk another season defined by missed opportunities.