Brenden Aaronson pressure piles on after new injury blow at Leeds United
Daniel Farke will be watching the remainder of the international break, like any manager, hoping his Thorp Arch absentees return unscathed for the resuming Leeds United promotion charge.
However, the German has been struck down by one emerging piece of news, that Wilfried Gnonto has picked up an issue which sees him drop out of the Italy Under-21 squad and return to West Yorkshire early to be assessed (Yorkshire Evening Post, 24 March).
Gnonto has struggled for game time since the turn of the year, having not started a single Championship contest since an impressive performance in the late win at Derby County on 29 December, in which Brenden Aaronson scored the decisive goal.
Aaronson now under huge pressure amid poor form
Gnonto has picked up his injury at the wrong time – if there was ever a right time – because no matter how minor it could be, there was every chance Farke would’ve started him against Swansea City this Saturday (29 March).
That is at least in the view of some Leeds United fans who have grown tired of the dip in form of Aaronson, whose substitution for Gnonto at QPR last time out was even cheered by sections of the travelling crowd.
The American attacking midfielder was omitted from the national team by Mauricio Pochettino for the USMNT’s current camp, with former Leeds players Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie both included.
Aaronson has failed to register a goal or assist since 1 February, now without a goal contribution in eight games, while Gnonto watches on from the bench, undoubtedly boiling over with frustration.
He simply has to deliver if there is no alternative, with Farke having previously deployed Gnonto in a more central position than his usual wide role earlier this season, to positive effect.
Gnonto could seek Leeds United exit in the summer
Leeds were linked with losing Gnonto both in January and last summer, and it wouldn’t be much of a shock if he decides enough is enough this summer at Elland Road, regardless of his side’s promotion fate.
It’s clear under Farke that if he is not receiving game time and being utilised as a backup plan in the Championship, his hopes of sustained Premier League football are slim.
| Leeds United – 2024-25 | APPS | STARTS | MINS PLD | GOALS | ASSISTS |
| Brenden Aaronson | 38 | 36 | 2,978 | 8 | 2 |
| Wilfried Gnonto | 35 | 20 | 1,799 | 5 | 5 |
His previous badly-advised antics when Leeds were first relegated in 2023 may be an unfair judgement to take into account, but Gnonto’s continued snub by the senior Italian side will play on his mind, as well as what he may feel is regression in a career still bursting with potential.
Gnonto’s contract at Leeds runs until 2028, which keeps the Whites in possession of a strong hand regarding his future, but the summer months could see a parting of the ways.