Brenden Aaronson wows pundit as Leeds United eye USA midfielder after 49ers boost
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Paul Robinson is impressed by Leeds United-linked midfielder Brenden Aaronson but has warned about the risks of signing players from overseas in January.
On 26 December, the Sunday People reported in their print edition [page 59] that Leeds are interested in signing Aaronson, 21, after losing Kalvin Phillips to injury.
It is stood that the USA attacking midfielder, who plays for Red Bull Salzburg, fits Marcelo Bielsa’s need for extra athleticism and has impressed in Austria this season, helping his side reach the Champions League knock-out stages.
Robinson is a fan of Aaronson but wants Leeds to be sure that when they’re signing someone in January, they’ll be able to quickly adapt to Bielsa’s methods and shine in the Premier League straight away.
Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “It’s probably too early to say if [Leeds’ American investors the San Francisco 49ers] are having an influence on transfers. Well, financially, they’ll be having an influence.
“Aaronson is not a player I’ve seen much of but from what I’ve seen of him, I think he’s a good player.
“I think the only risk Leeds run at the moment is signing players who are Premier League ready.
“We know that Bielsa takes his time to bed players in. Whether they come from Europe or England, he likes to have a few weeks with them on the training ground to get them used to him and what he asks of his players.
“We also see foreign players coming into the league and not settling straight away, there are very few players who hit the ground running in the Premier League.
“That’s a risk Leeds are going to have to take.”
Aaronson joined Salzburg from Philadelphia Union in January 2021 and didn’t waste his time settling down in Austria.
He’s scored 10 goals and supplied 12 in his 51 appearances for Salzburg since signing for them.
The New Jersey-born attacker has scored three of those goals this term with two of them coming against Brondby in Champions League qualifiers.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has dropped a Marcelo Bielsa exit verdict amid recent speculation.