Brenden Aaronson was a talking point throughout the season at Leeds United. But USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino isn’t unsure about his quality.
Brenden Aaronson featured in all 46 Championship games for Leeds United during the 2025/26 season, scoring nine times and assisting twice as Daniel Farke’s side won the title.
The 24-year-old certainly played his part in the campaign. But Leeds United fans were often critical of Aaronson with many thinking that Farke had better options in that position.
Aaronson was often criticised for being anonymous in games and simply not providing all that much in what is a key position on the pitch.
And his poor form saw Mauricio Pochettino drop Aaronson from the USMNT squad earlier in the year. Until now that is with the former Spurs boss naming Aaronson in his team for June friendlies against Switzerland and Turkey.
Mauricio Pochettino thinks Brenden Aaronson was ‘really good’ for Leeds United in 2024/25
Despite what many Leeds United fans think, Pochettino actually thinks Aaronson had a really good season in the Championship. After recalling him to the USMNT side, Pochettino then detailed what he likes about the £25million signing from Red Bull Salzburg, which is his overall positivity on and off the pitch.
Speaking during his Thursday presser, Pochettino explained: “For Brenden, we already know his quality. The most important thing is that he keeps bringing his energy, positivity, enthusiasm, and passion. He is the type of player that transmits energy to the rest of the team.
“These feelings are really important. He is a player that already has experience, he was really good last season for Leeds as they won the Championship. He is an important player that can help build our spirit and he needs to understand that he cannot stop being the way that he is.”
Daniel Farke has already been told what to do with Brenden Aaronson this summer
There are many supporters who think Aaronson may struggle in the Premier League next season. And already, Farke has been told to replace the American during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Speaking shortly after the end of the season, former Leeds United player Mike Grella said Farke needs to replace Aaronson this summer, saying: “If you’re going to play that way, maybe someone with a different skillset in that no.10 position that plays behind Piroe. A proper no.10 that will create numerical advantages that maybe he could add a little bit more to goal-scoring.
“I know Aaronson had a very good season goal-scoring wise, but playing also in a team that scores the most goals in the league, so that’s the position I would look to strengthen.”
Aaronson being back in the USMNT team is certainly a positive for him, though. If Farke does decide he’s not in his plans then Aaronson can put himself in the shop window with some good performances for his country.
That, or he could give Farke a real selection headache if he performs on the international stage. He does have quality but he was perhaps a bit too inconsistent last time round.
