Daniel Farke sent clear Brenden Aaronson message after Pochettino comments
Brenden Aaronson’s latest setback should be a clear sign to Daniel Farke that he needs more from the Leeds United midfielder.
Farke has been increasingly reliant on Aaronson this season as Leeds prepare to tackle their final nine league games, with the USA international having featured in every single match for the Whites this term.
Since coming off the bench in United’s first two games against Portsmouth and West Brom, Aaronson has started every single time, with those 35 starts in a row only bettered by Illan Meslier and Joe Rodon.
However, in those 2,929 Championship minutes, Aaronson has managed just 10 goal contributions with eight strikes and two assists, with Farke sticking by him due to a lack of alternative number 10 options.
Aaronson axed from USA squad as Mauricio Pochettino speaks out
Aaronson’s ever-presence in Leeds’ starting elevens, and functionality – as the only clear choice – in Farke’s setup, hasn’t been enough to earn him a call-up to the USA squad for this month’s internationals.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
| Brenden Aaronson | 37 | 35 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
While Leeds will be glad to have Aaronson at Thorp Arch to recouperate during the two-week break, Pochettino’s justification for his decision implies the USMNT possess a strength Leeds don’t at present.
In quotes reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer (11 March), Pochettino said: “Brenden, we know very well, but we decided to bring another player in his place.
“We have players in that position like Gio Reyna, who is for the first time able to join us, and then [Christian] Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Diego Luna – too many players for only one position.”
Aaronson alternative must emerge soon at Leeds United
The USA is not one of football’s global powerhouses, and yet Pochettino – a manager admired in Leeds due to his association with Marcelo Bielsa – having numerous better options than Aaronson is alarming.
Weston McKennie being viewed as a better attacking midfielder than Aaronson will also set the bells ringing for the Elland Road faithful after his own contributions in LS11, but the message to Farke is clear.
Though Farke is seemingly adamant that it’s Aaronson or no-one in the number 10 role for United, his over-use of the 24-year-old is now starting to come at a cost for the midfielder’s international prospects.
A promotion-winning season in the Championship can have a positive impact on Aaronson’s credentials, but as Farke continues to run him into the ground, Leeds’ number 11 either needs to improve his output or come out of the side altogether; given a chance to reset and recapture his form ahead of the summer.