“He didn’t want to be there last time around, so why would he want to be there now”- Ex-Leeds defender questions Whites decision to bring back Brenden Aaronson to Elland Road as he raises uncertainty over player’s ability to handle Championship pressure

It is a new season and a fresh start for Brenden Aaronson. The USA international looks set to be given an opportunity to prove his credentials after returning to Leeds United. It is fair to say things have not gone according to plan for Aaronson since moving to West Yorkshire in the summer of 2022. He spent last season on loan at Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin.

Many first team players have departed Elland Road this summer but Aaronson will be aiming to win over the fans and establish himself as a valuable member of Daniel Farke’s squad. When asked if Aaronson could be a potential game-changer, former United defender Danny Mills told GOAL:

“It’s a difficult one for Leeds. They have got all sorts of players coming in and going out. It’s a bit of a revolving door.

“Last season it was like ‘let’s get everybody out’, but there wasn’t too much thought as to what happens when they call come back in. It’s a difficult situation to manage within it. A lot of them will believe that they are Premier League players, or better than the Championship. How do you integrate them back into the squad?

“They are good players, but integrating them and getting them to believe in the Championship – when it’s Sat-Tues week in, week out – it’s never going to be easy. Players have egos, they have self belief. Daniel Farke did an incredible job at the beginning of last season to manage the revolving door and I think he might have a similar situation when it comes to this one. Until the window is closed, he is not necessarily going to know who is going to be in and who is going to be out.”

Former England international Mills is also unconvinced Aaronson wants to play in the second tier of English football. Speaking in association with 888poker, Mills said:

“This is where it comes down to character. Did he [Aaronson] want to be there last time in the Championship? It didn’t look like it did it, he was happy to get out of the door as quickly as possible. Will he want to stay and prove himself again?

“You have to look at the individuals and look at their character. He didn’t want to be there last time around, so why would he want to still be there now in the Championship? As a player you grow, you want to play in League One, then the Championship, then the Premier League, play as an international. To drop back when still at your peak is difficult sometimes. It needs to be a special person and character to be able to handle that.”