Leeds United may have been on the end of a 5-2 thrashing, but United States international Brenden Aaronson still managed to make his mark against Brentford on Saturday afternoon.
In a lively performance, the Philadelphia Union youth product created two chances, completed 92% of his passes, and was successful with two out of four dribbles. Aaronson was typically robust without the ball, too, making two tackles, and five recoveries.
Unfortunately, a defensive collapse saw Leeds buried in London. However, Brentford boss Thomas Frank was still full of praise for Jesse Marsch’s side, even individually picking out Aaronson.
“I think they’re really good,” said Frank.”With a narrow front four combining and tricky players, good players. Aaronson – what a player, what a player, that’s a top buy for Leeds. So I think we defended that a little bit bad, but also credit to Leeds.”
Frank isn’t the only one that’s been impressed by Aaronson’s Premier League exploits recently.
Following their resounding 3-0 win over Chelsea a couple of weeks back, former Leeds defender Matthew Kilgallon was left wondering if the USMNT star has any flaws in his game at all.
“Really impressed with him, everything, I don’t think he’s got a weakness,” he said. “He works hard, he defends well, he gets back in position early, does everything right. He looks like a good lad out there, he wants to do as well as he can. And he’s come into the Premier League and absolutely just taken to it so easily. Gives everything, he runs around and gives it everything. But I think we need him on there for 90. I think he’s that good.”
Aaronson opened the scoring for Leeds in that victory against Chelsea and played a starring role on both sides of the ball throughout. Alongside Kilgallon, former Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Manchester City midfielder Owen Hargreaves was stirred by the 21-year-old American.
“I really like him, he’s a fantastic young player and his work ethic is fantastic, too,” said Hargreaves. “High energy, high intensity. That’s what you want to do [to Chelsea], put them under pressure. Mendy was probably surprised by the speed of Aaronson.”
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