Leeds United's Brenden Aaronson with manager Javi Gracia after being substituted
Leeds United attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson has impressed Javi Gracia during his first week in charge, Adam Pope has reported.
The Lowdown: Aaronson back in the starting XI
The American was the club’s first summer arrival, joining from Red Bull Salzburg. The 22-year-old began the campaign as a regular under former Whites boss Jesse Marsch, but prior to Saturday’s win over Southampton, he hadn’t started in the previous four games in the Premier League.
The USA international returned to the starting XI in Gracia’s first game in charge, playing 75 minutes of the 1-0 win against the Saints at Elland Road.
The Latest: Gracia praises Aaronson
Pope took to Twitter on Monday afternoon to relay comments from Gracia’s pre-match press conference ahead of tonight’s FA Cup clash against Fulham.
The Leeds head coach was asked about Aaronson returning to the team last weekend, with the Spaniard saying that the 22-year-old ‘had trained well in the week’ and adding that he thought the player ‘had a good game too’.
The Verdict: Another start incoming?
It looks as if Aaronson has impressed the new Leeds manager, so it wouldn’t come as a surprise if he keeps his place in the team tonight as the Whites look to advance to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Labelled ‘magnificent’ by Jamie Redknapp earlier this season, Aaronson has been the club’s 18th-best performer according to WhoScored metrics, so the Whites will be hoping that Gracia can get the best out of the attacking midfielder in what has been a testing first campaign in England for the American.
He has been outperformed by youngsters Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto according to WhoScored. With Leeds paying £25m for Aaronson, they’ll be hoping that he can go from strength to strength under Gracia, and it looks as if he has made a good first impression on the 52-year-old.
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