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Paul Merson raves about Leeds United pair Jesse Marsch and Brenden Aaronson
Paul Merson has hailed the American influence at Leeds United after the club’s impressive start to the Premier League season and the victory over Chelsea.
An unbeaten run that included the 3-0 win over Thomas Tuchel’s side at Elland Road last weekend has the Whites going into their clash with Brighton sitting in the top four.
Manager Jesse Marsch has been backed in the transfer market this summer, with a number of signings who have previously worked under him, including USMNT pair Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson.
The latter opened the scoring against Chelsea by forcing Edouard Mendy into a glaring error, and Merson has singled out the attacking midfielder and the boss for high praise.
In his Daily Star column he said: “Leeds really did blow Chelsea away last weekend and it’s a testament to the manager and new signings – particularly Brenden Aaronson.
“I think with American players, the one thing you’re sure of is they play with their heart on their sleeve while giving absolutely everything.
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“I really like Jesse Marsch and I hope he does well. He comes across as such a nice bloke. He’ll be working around the clock to improve that club. There won’t be enough hours in the day for him.”
On board
Marsch hasn’t necessarily been the most popular of imports to the top flight since he replaced Marcelo Bielsa, and the fact that his predecessor was the legendary Argentine had plenty to do with that.
The Americanisation of the club has also rubbed some up the wrong way, but it cannot be denied that it is bearing positive fruits right now.
The manager kept the club in the Premier League last season by the skin of their teeth, but has them firing on almost all cylinders in the new campaign.
Aaronson, chased throughout the January transfer window but out of reach at Red Bull Salzburg, has so far suggested that had he arrived six months earlier the relegation battle would have been won much earlier.
Adams was also a standout in the dismantling of Chelsea, and for whatever criticism Marsch and the others may get Merson is clearly on board with what is happening at Elland Road.
If results and performances continue in the same vein they’ve started the year it will be difficult for any detractors not to be won over.
There is a very long way to go this season and the squad is far from perfect, but it cannot be denied that it’s been a highly impressive start and the US imports have had a lot to do with that.
In other Leeds United news, Chris Sutton is still finding ways to avoid predicting the Whites will win a game and is hearing about it from the fans.