Leeds United bid farewell to the Premier League at the end of the 2022/23 season, ending their three-season stint in the top-flight that started with their promotion in 2020. In a bid to secure their position in the league, under the guidance of manager Jesse Marsch, Leeds welcomed a host of new players in the summer of 2022. Among them were Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Luis Sinisterra, Marc Roca, and Rasmus Kristensen. Despite these signings, the team couldn’t avoid relegation, with Aaronson, in particular, struggling to find his footing.
Aaronson arrived at Leeds from Red Bull Salzburg for a hefty sum of £24.7 million, showing promise in his early performances, notably shining in his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Stuart Rayner of The Yorkshire Post praised Aaronson, giving him the highest rating on the team with an 8/10 for his standout display.
Initially deployed on the right wing, Aaronson showcased his work rate by making key tackles and winning duels, contributing indirectly to Leeds’ success on the field. However, as the season progressed, his form dipped dramatically, culminating in a disappointing season and ending with him being labeled the Premier League’s least effective player based on Sofascore ratings.
The statistics reflected a challenging season for Aaronson, with his performances falling below expectations. He struggled in key areas such as aerial duels and underperformed in goal-scoring opportunities. His inconsistent contributions in attack and defense led to a loan move to Union Berlin in the Bundesliga for the following season, where he has yet to fully make his mark.
