Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams to quit Leeds United if relegated, Brenden Aaronson to stay – US expert
Big-money summer signing Brenden Aaronson will stay at Leeds United even if the club are relegated this season, according to former USA international Alexi Lalas.
But there would be no future at Elland Road for Aaronson’s fellow USA internationals Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie, with Lalas believing both would leave if the Whites go down.
Along with the Leeds trio, Lalas discussed the futures of fellow USA stars Yunus Musah and Ricardo Pepi, who are both in danger of being relegated with Valencia and Augsburg respectively.
“I think a lot of the players that we’re talking about here, their value and their ability to go somewhere and step up is not tied to the relegation problems they’re having,” Lalas said on his State of the Union Podcast, as quoted by The Boot Room.
“They would be looked at as bright spots within the darkness if you will. I think McKennie and I think Tyler Adams (would go). Aaronson is an interesting one because I’m not sure. There’s an appreciation for him, but he never kicked on.
“They are all going to be fine if Leeds go down, it would be most likely for someone like Aaronson to continue on in the Championship, but I think McKennie and Tyler Adams would look towards new pastures.”
Nervous wait
Leeds fans not only face a nervous wait for their Premier League future, but subsequently the future of many players currently at the club.
There looks set to be a major shake-up at Elland Road regardless of what happens at the end of the campaign, but some supporters will already be fearing the worst for some of their star performers should the Whites go down.
McKennie is perhaps the most obvious name that could exit this summer given the fact he is only on loan from Juventus, while Aaronson – who joined for £24.7million – has somewhat failed to live up to expectations at Elland Road, and seems unlikely to attract much attention this summer.
That leaves talented midfielder Adams as the most likely source of worry for Leeds fans if they suffer the dreaded drop, with the USA captain expected to attract interest from several top clubs.
The Whites have just dropped into the relegation zone, but are just one point from staying up in what is a very competitive bottom half of the Premier League.
In other Leeds United news, Chris Sutton has predicted the winner of the match against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday (4 April).