Farke to axe Aaronson, two changes – Leeds United predicted XI v Norwich
Daniel Farke could drop Brenden Aaronson as one of two changes when his Leeds United side host Norwich City on Wednesday.
Aaronson put in a frustrating final-third display despite the Whites’ 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday last time out and given Largie Ramazani’s display off the bench, he simply has to come into the side.
Ramazani came off the bench to seal the game, scoring a superb second goal from the edge of the box and seeing his stoppage-time volley turned home from close range by Ao Tanaka.
Tanaka could also play next to a new midfield partner against the Canaries, with Farke potentially bringing a fit-again Ilia Gruev back into the starting XI in place of Joe Rothwell.
Brenden Aaronson axed by Farke for Leeds United v Norwich
A 3-0 victory in a Yorkshire derby against a rival vying for the play-offs doesn’t suggest that many changes should be in order, but the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story against Wednesday.
The Peacocks were cut open down the middle too much and were lucky not to concede having gone 1-0 up inside three minutes, with the defence under pressure in a shaky display.
Farke kept faith with Illan Meslier after his howlers against Hull City the game prior and will do so once again, as well as maintaining the same backline with Ethan Ampadu dropping back into central defence.
Ahead of the skipper, Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon and Sam Byram though, could be a changed double-pivot, with Gruev potentially making the step up to the starting XI alongside the undroppable Tanaka.
Gruev is two months ahead of schedule in his return from a knee injury picked up in the reverse fixture at Carrow Road, and will likely provide more solidity in the middle than Joe Rothwell provides.
Out wide, opening goalscorer Manor Solomon and man-of-the-match Dan James have also become mainstays in the side, leaving Farke with a welcome dilemma when it comes to the number 10 role.
Aaronson is the German’s clear first choice playing behind the striker, but Ramazani’s transformative impact against Wednesday means he absolutely has to start – and there’s nowhere else to play him.
The diminutive Belgian was most effective in central roles on Sunday, and playing behind Joel Piroe – who loves a goal against Norwich – Ramazani could cap off a frontline which is back to its lethal best.
In other Leeds news, a Premier League manager’s comments on one of Farke’s main targets should leave United on red alert.
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