Leeds United’s lead at the top of the Championship table was cut down to three points on Saturday as they failed to secure a win against West Bromwich Albion at Elland Road.
The West Yorkshire outfit did, however, take the lead in the game when Junior Firpo rose to score his second header in as many league games for the club to make it 1-0.
West Brom found their equaliser before the break, though, as Darnell Furlong got the jump on Jayden Bogle and Illan Meslier appeared flatfooted as the ball looped over him and into the back of the net.
Unfortunately, Daniel Farke’s side were unable to break down a stubborn Baggies defence and they did not create another ‘big chance’ in the game after Firpo’s goal.
One of the reasons why Leeds struggled to create many high-quality opportunities against Tony Mowbray’s team was that the attacking players failed to step up and show their quality in the final third.
Brenden Aaronson was one of those players and the American attacking midfielder must, now, be dropped to the bench by Farke for the next league clash with Portsmouth next Sunday.
Why Brenden Aaronson should be dropped
The former RB Salzburg star has been a firm favourite of Farke’s throughout the Championship season, starting 33 of his 35 appearances in the division, but now could be the time for him to be taken out of the side.
Chalkboard
Aaronson, as the attacking midfielder, should be in the team to make things happen at the top of the end of the pitch, contributing with goals and assists, as well as his excellent pressing and off-the-ball work.
However, Leeds have not been getting as much of the former as they have the latter. In fact, the 24-year-old dud has now failed to score or assist in any of his ten matches against the current top six in the Championship.
West Brom (A)
0
0
Burnley (H)
0
0
Sunderland (A)
0
0
Sheffield United (H)
0
0
Coventry (H)
0
0
Coventry (A)
0
0
Burnley (A)
0
0
Sunderland (H)
0
0
Sheffield United (A)
0
0
West Brom (H)
0
0
As you can see in the table above, the American midfielder has offered very little in front of goal against the best teams in the division, which was the case yet again against West Brom on Saturday.
Aaronson ended the match against the Baggies with zero shots on target and zero ‘big chances’ created for his teammates, which is why he should be dropped from the team to see if another player can outperform him in the number ten role.
He is not the only poor performer from the draw with West Brom who should be dropped down to the bench, though, as Farke should also ruthlessly bin Manor Solomon from the line-up after his struggles.
Manor Solomon's performance against West Brom
The Israel international started on the left flank, with Aaronson in the middle and Dan James on the right, and failed to make much of an impact in the final third.
James was the only one of the front four to be directly involved in the team’s only goal, with his cross for Junior Firpo’s header, whilst Aaronson, Solomon, and Joel Piroe all blanked at the top end of the pitch.
Solomon, like the American lightweight, has also struggled against the top teams in the league. The Tottenham Hotspur loanee has as many errors leading to goals (one) as goal contributions (one) in his seven appearances against the current top six.
In the draw with West Brom, the Leeds flop was handed a dismal rating of 4/10 by Football Insider, who wrote that the Premier League loanee did not trouble the opposition’s goal.
Minutes
79
Shots (on target)
3 (0)
Dribbles completed
0/2
Duels won
1/6
Big chances created
0
Possession lost
13x
As you can see in the table above, the 25-year-old attacker lost 83% of his duels, as the West Brom defenders found it too easy to get the better of him, and he failed to offer much in front of goal with zero shots on target and no ‘big chances’ created.
Therefore, Farke must also ruthlessly ditch Solomon from the XI, with Wilfried Gnonto and Largie Ramazani waiting in the wings, after his dismal showing against the Baggies.
Leeds United's Manor Solomon dilemma
The winger is currently on loan from Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road and TEAMtalk recently reported that Leeds are interested in a deal to sign the forward on a permanent basis.
It was claimed that the Whites are preparing to approach Spurs to negotiate a permanent deal to sign the attacker when the summer transfer window opens for business, if they secure promotion to the Premier League this season.
The outlet added that Tottenham are expected to value Solomon at a fee of up to £20m, amid interest from top-flight side Everton as well, and Leeds must decide whether or not that is good value.
He has scored seven goals and provided seven assists in 28 appearances in the second tier, which is a very respectable return, but his aforementioned form against the top six is a concern.
Crysencio Summerville scored 19 goals and assisted a further nine in the Championship last season and has only managed one goal and one assist in 19 games in the Premier League for West Ham United.
The Hammers reportedly paid a fee of more than £25m for the Dutch winger and he has been unable to translate his second tier form over to the Premier League as of yet, which illustrates how big of a gap it is between the two divisions.
Summerville and Solomon are also both similar players, as they are small and nimble wingers – standing at 5 foot 9 and 5 foot 7 respectively – who have thrived in the Championship thanks to their quick feet and lethal finishing.
However, the Dutch attacker has found it difficult to make an impact in the Premier League against quicker and stronger defenders, which could be the same issue that Solomon will face – particularly when you take into account his existing struggles against the best Championship teams.
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Therefore, Leeds have a difficult decision to make as they could end up wasting £20m on a player who cannot make the step up to the top-flight, which is why they have to be absolutely sure that he will be a success at a higher level next season.
