This season, a few Leeds United players are finally demonstrating to the team’s supporters that they are capable of excelling in a Leeds shirt, but one player faces a greater struggle than the others.
At last, Junior Firpo is displaying the kind of play Leeds may have anticipated from him when they acquired him from Barcelona. Firpo achieved a feat on Saturday that wasn’t done for Leeds since Ian Harte back in 2001.
A few more Leeds players are beginning to develop. Throughout his tenure at Leeds, Illan Meslier has mostly been up and down, but in his seven games this season, the Frenchman has a stunning five clean sheets.
This season, Joel Piroe has scored three goals for Leeds coming off the bench. After scoring 14 goals in his debut season—a season in which Piroe scored only occasionally—the Dutchman is now beginning to score frequently.
However, Brenden Aaronson is the player with the most amount of unfinished business this season. Max Wober, a seasoned, elite international defender, has also returned after leaving to go on loan.
Last season, Wilfried Gnonto claims he missed Brenden Aaronson.
With a brilliant finish into the top corner, Gnonto equaled Aaronson’s goal total for the 2024–25 season on Saturday by scoring his second goal of the year. Leeds comfortably defeated Coventry 3-0.
After the victory, Gnonto said that he had missed Aaronson during the American’s loan to Union Berlin the previous season. The winger describes how, at Elland Road, Aaronson is currently one of his closest pals.
“What a wonderful guy he is. I may say that I kind of missed him last season because I knew him from two seasons before. Gnonto told CBS Sports, “He’s a good guy, he works hard on the field, but he’s always a funny guy off the field.”
Indeed, it’s wonderful to have him and these kinds of players. About the returning Aaronson, Gnonto said, “I can say he’s one of my best friends in the team; I really enjoy playing with him.”
The bond between Gnonto and Aaronson is beginning to strengthen at Leeds
Leeds had to find a replacement for Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter, who were currently playing in the Premier League. Not so much in terms of placement as in terms of their quality and threat in the last third.
Gnonto and Aaronson are beginning to do that. Graeme Bailey believes Aaronson could be the best player in the league because of his quickness, passing ability, and vision. Aaronson is making a name for himself in this Leeds team.
Gnonto and Aaronson are the current front-runners in attack because to Manor Solomon’s injury, which is being treated by Largie Ramazani. Their friendship off the field is obviously beneficial to their on-field relationship.
It remains to be seen whether Farke makes any adjustments on Tuesday. Leeds takes on Norwich in their second of three games in six days, and the Whites will have some travel involved as they head to Carrow Road.