Leeds United: Phil Hay details ‘uncomfortable’ Brenden Aaronson situation at Elland Road
Phil Hay has shared details about the “uncomfortable” situation regarding Brenden Aaronson at Leeds United.
The American has failed to hit the heights expected of him at Elland Road since his summer move from Red Bull Salzburg.
Despite the struggles, Javi Gracia opted to bring on Aaronson instead of Wilfried Gnonto against Leicester on Tuesday (25 April), prompting an “audible groan” from many Leeds fans.
“Bielsa was right about this,” Hay said on The Athletic’s The Phil Hay Show (19m01s). “You can’t pick your team or decide your substitutions on the whim of journalists like me or supporters. It’s not healthy and eventually it catches up with you. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t occasions where a coach is getting it wrong.
“I don’t know where you were sitting on Tuesday night but when they signalled for Aaronson to come on, there was an audible groan from the West Stand. It’s quite uncomfortable actually because it’s not as if Aaronson isn’t trying, it’s not as if he’s not making the effort – you can imagine it’s eating away at him. But physically he’s just not coped with the division this season.
“But I still feel with Gnonto, you have somebody who can make it happen and when you need to win games, you surely have to start leaning towards players who can do that.”
Strange situation
Gnonto’s lack of minutes on the pitch has been strange to watch, with the youngster undoubtedly one of the club’s most talented players.
The teenager shone in the early stages of the season, but he simply hasn’t had the chance to do that under Gracia, with time now running out for the youngster to showcase his skills on the pitch.
The likes of Aaronson and other attackers such as Crysencio Summerville are seemingly above the Italian in the pecking order, leaving many Leeds fans scratching their heads.
Gracia has had some good moments in his brief time in the dugout at Elland Road so far, but his decision to constantly omit Gnonto may come back to haunt him should he be the manager to relegate Leeds back to the Championship.
The Whites now have just five games to get their act together and put up a real fight to stay in the division, and that should begin with Gnonto getting a start against Bournemouth on Sunday (30 April).
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have confirmed they want a new version of one under-fire senior player in an official update.