'It's definitely upsetting' - Divisive Leeds United figure hits back at Elland Road criticism

Leeds United attacker Brenden Aaronson has hit back at criticism over his playing style. Some pundits and supporters have questioned the USA international's end product this season, despite the fact he has contributed four goals and an assist in the Whites' promotion charge.

Manager Daniel Farke also recently admitted that Aaronson needs to calm down and improve his decision-making in the final third to go to the next level. No player has been dispossessed more in the Championship than Aaronson during the 2024/25 season.

His tenacity and industry with and without the ball is not in question. However, some opponents have forced Aaronson into errors in possession due to the 24-year-old's lack of physicality.

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"It's definitely upsetting because I think, in moments, I show a lot of quality with the ball," he told GOAL. "I don't think a lot of people see that. People see my energy and that type of thing, and that's easy to see. You'll always see me giving 100 percent. That's something that I've always had. That was the first thing I learned from my dad at a young age.

"I want to be outside of that box. I'm not just a runner. I'm not just a guy that's pressing all the time. I'll show that, of course, but I think I'm also more than that, you know? I think I'm a guy that brings other things to the pitch and, yeah, I just wish people could see that more."

Aaronson, named the Whites' player of the month for August, has set himself the ambitious target of chipping in with 15 goals and 15 assists this term. "I've learned to move on from bad moments and get to the next game because the thing that's amazing in the Championship, and when we're with the national team, it's always three days until the next game," said Aaronson, who spent last season on loan at German club Union Berlin. "You have three days until you get to go out there and show it again.

"My technical ability on the ball, I don't think I get a ton of credit for it but whenever I'm playing consistent minutes, I always get going with assists, and I think the part of my game, dribbling and that type of thing, is kind of underrated. Even last game, I played, a ball through and we scored off of it, but it didn't count, of course. All of those little balls, like the pass before the pass, you don't always see those things."