(Credit: Imago)

Richie Mills

Tue 17 March 2026 11:40, UK

Brenden Aaronson’s purple patch at Leeds United this season has come to a grinding halt.

In December and January, Aaronson looked like a completely different player from the one who frustrated Leeds fans no end.

The commitment and energy were still there, but the 25-year-old added goals, assists, and composure to his game, seemingly out of nowhere.

Between Leeds’ draw at Sunderland after Christmas and his brace away at Newcastle United in early January, the United States international had managed to alter his reputation in a matter of weeks.

However, that honeymoon period has worn off, with Aaronson underwhelming in Leeds’ goalless draw at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

In January, talk of contract extensions came to the fore. Now, they have quietened down again.

Brenden Aaronson struggles against Crystal Palace

Aaronson has scored four goals and added three assists for Leeds in 29 Premier League games this season.

While that is a handy amount, the former Red Bull Salzburg man hasn’t provided a goal contribution since 7 January, nine league games ago.

The clinical goalscoring touch he had against Manchester United and Newcastle in early January seemed a distant memory when he flashed a good chance past the post against Palace.

And as shown by the Sofascore graphic below, Aaronson lost both of his dribbles, was nought for two on shots on target, and he won none of his seven duels at Selhurst Park.

Aaronson secured a Sofascore rating of six as he was hooked at half-time following Gabriel Gudmundsson’s first-half dismissal.

Aaronson’s contract runs until 2027 at Leeds. He wants to become a legend there, but for now, that seems a very lofty and unlikely goal.

Last month, the 49ers Enterprises reportedly delayed plans to extend Daniel Farke’s contract, which also expires next year, as they want to see if the German can keep Leeds up.

And while there is a genuine debate to keep both at Elland Road, particularly Farke, it would be wise for Leeds to delay contract talks with Aaronson, particularly as his form has nosedived.

Leeds face big Aaronson decision ahead of Brentford

After his latest outing, in addition to his recent form struggles, there is a case for Leeds to drop Aaronson for the visit of Brentford on Saturday.

Farke has repeatedly praised the Americans’ work rate, both in attack and defence, but Leeds cannot afford to have any passengers in their relegation fight.

If 15th-placed Leeds continue to play with strikers Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in attack, as they did at Palace, the need for Aaronson diminishes.

That could mean a recall for the likes of Sean Longstaff, who impressed in Leeds’ 3-0 FA Cup fifth round win over Norwich City, although that was against Championship opposition.

Perhaps a time on the bench will be good for Aaronson, giving the attacking midfielder a chance to get out of the spotlight for a time.

Farke has given Aaronson plenty of chances this season, but he has a big selection decision to make ahead of a massive game against Europe-chasing Brentford.