Leeds United are back in Premier League action today with their first game of the 2022/23 season seeing the Whites take on Wolves at Elland Road.
After ending their pre-season run of fixtures with an exhilarating 6-2 win over Cagliari, the Yorkshire club will undoubtedly be looking to get their new league campaign underway in a similar vein.
Taking into account the number of new signings that Leeds have made during this summer’s transfer window, Jesse Marsch’s starting XI this afternoon could have a rather fresh look to it.
One summer recruit that we feel should be in the team from the beginning to take on Bruno Lage’s side is Brenden Aaronson.
Aaronson must start v Wolves
After scoring 13 goals and providing 15 assists in 66 appearances for Red Bull Salzburg, the American joined Leeds on a five-year deal worth a reported fee of £22.2m.
During the 6-2 win over Cagliari, the 21-year-old provided a trio of assists, one of which saw him play a perfect pinpoint pass from his own half to set up Patrick Bamford as the Englishman fired in Leeds’ third goal of the game.
To further highlight his attacking talent, with 26 league appearances to his name for Salzburg last season, the 21-year-old – who is currently valued at €33m (£27.8m) according to Football Transfers – had 52 shots at goal in total, leaving only three other players at the Austrian club with more.
Hailed as a “ruthless” player by Jim Curtin, as well as having a “monster mentality” according to another of his former coaches in Matthias Jaissle, Aaronson certainly seems to have what it takes to frighten Wolves and pose problems for the visitors’ defence this afternoon.
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Bearing in mind how the Old Gold conceded 36 fewer goals than Leeds last season in the league, having a player like the American could be exactly what the Whites need in order to unlock Wolves’ defence and give them the best possible chance of starting their new campaign with a win in front of their home fans.
With Leeds having the likes of Stuart Dallas and Adam Forshaw out injured, this could allow Marsch to unleash Aaronson and give him his first taste of Premier League action today.
