Alan Shearer was full of praise for Leeds United attacker Brenden Aaronson on Match of the Day 2 on Sunday evening as the American opened his account for the Premier League side in a stunning 3-0 win over Chelsea.
Still only 21, Aaronson has got off to a flyer in the Premier League. The USA international, a £25million signing from RedBull Salzburg, still argues it was his touch that saw Leeds beat Wolves on the opening day of the season.
But there was no doubt about his goal against Chelsea. He put Leeds ahead, closing Edouard Mendy down before tackling the Blues goalkeeper and tapping the ball into the net. It summed Aaronson up, his pressing, and energy.
A brilliant day for Leeds, as Rodrigo netted his fourth in three games – and Jack Harrison also opened his account. Leeds look like a new animal under Jesse Marsch after pre-season, and Shearer was impressed by wonderkid Aaronson.
“Mendy tried to be clever. It was an absolute howler. It was Aaronson that lead from the front in terms of his ability and his energy, Leeds pressed in threes and fours. Even at 3-0, the attitude never changed – they wanted to get a fourth.”
Shearer full of praise for Leeds attacker Aaronson
Aaronson was sensational. He was at the heart of everything good Leeds did. His turn on Kalidou Koulibaly also deserves a mention, completely turning the Chelsea man inside out and Koulibaly was booked for pulling him back.
It meant Koulibaly had to play in a reserved manner and on 84 minutes, he was sent off. His passing, the positions he took up, it kept Chelsea’s defence on the back foot. Twinning that with his work rate and pressing, he looks excellent.
Under Marsch, Aaronson could easily double the £25million figure Leeds spent on him come the end of the season. Luckily for Leeds, the American has a contract until June 2027 at Elland Road.
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