(Credit: Imago)

Jacob Raw

Mon 27 April 2026 7:10, UK

Ex-Leeds United star Jermaine Beckford was in agony watching Brenden Aaronson miss a big first-half chance during the 1-0 FA Cup loss to Chelsea on Sunday.

The Whites were unable to reach the final of the FA Cup, as Enzo Fernandez scored the all-important goal to send Chelsea through to face Manchester City in May.

Despite the loss, Daniel Farke‘s side can take great inspiration from the way they fought against one of the most expensive squads in England, with perspective a beautiful thing in football.

Leeds were in the Championship 12 months ago, and fast forward to the present, they are on the cusp of a consecutive season in the Premier League, while only just missing out on an FA Cup final.

However, Aaronson’s one-on-one miss may be looked back on in years to come as the big what-if moment, and Beckford may be thinking the same as every other Leeds fan.

Jermain Beckford wanted to see Brenden Aaronson celebrate vs Chelsea

Aaronson has been heavily criticised for his performances this season, and he is a player that most fans want to see replaced by an upgrade this summer.

The American does deserve credit for some of his displays, but not the one against Chelsea, as his miss might not have even been the worst part of his 86-minute showing.

Discussing on the TNT panel during the break, Beckford explained his disappointment at Aaronson for missing such a chance.

Beckford said: “It’s an easy finish, but he managed to get his shot off, and that’s ultimately the most important thing in that situation, but I wanted to see him running off into the corner flag, celebrating.”

The former Leeds striker did, however, praise Robert Sanchez for making the stop, but in reality, Aaronson had the whole of the goal to aim at and put it straight at the Spanish shot-stopper.

As seen in the graphic above, the attacking midfielder’s shot tallied 0.36 xG, and was arguably the defining moment of Leeds’ loss.

The biggest sign vs Chelsea that Aaronson will now be replaced

Facundo Buonanotte was brought in during the winter window on loan, but the Argentine hasn’t been able to sway Farke into starting him over Aaronson.

But with Buonanotte set to return to Brighton this summer, the 49ers have an opportunity to go and sign proper competition for the American. Some have even suggested Harvey Elliott could be targeted.

However, in the meantime, Anton Stach’s return gives the Whites a huge boost, as his 45-minute display off the bench once again showed the German’s powers going forward.

There’s a good chance that Farke will play Stach in a more advanced role, and given Noah Okafor’s form of late, Aaronson would be the obvious man to be dropped.