After switching to a 3-4-2-1 system halfway through last season, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been trying to work out his best attacking trio at the top end of the pitch.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has cemented his place as the club’s main centre-forward option, after netting 14 goals in the Premier League last term - the most of any player in the squad.

However, the other two roles behind him are certainly up for grabs, with the manager still yet to find a pairing which best suits the 29-year-old talisman.

Harry Wilson and Noah Okafor have featured in such a position as of late, but one player has constantly proven that he’s not at the level needed for success.

Why Aaronson is no longer good enough for the Premier League

There are a few players on the books at Leeds who divide opinion between the fanbase, but none quite as frequently as attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson.

The American international has been seen as a key player for Farke in recent seasons, with the German continuing to stick by the 25-year-old despite his struggles.

However, the continued selection of the attacker has seen some criticism directed at the manager by some supporters - and it appears such criticism is warranted.

Aaronson’s stats from the early stages of the new campaign highlight his struggles in key areas, which has seen countless other players in his position manage to outperform him.

The midfielder has only averaged 9.8 successful passes per 90 this term, whilst also only making 1.7 line-breaking passes per 90 - both ranking him in the bottom 6% of players in the Premier League.

Out of possession, he’s also been just as ineffective - subsequently being dribbled past an average of 4.1 times per 90, the most of any player in England’s top-flight in 2026/27.

How Leeds let an Aaronson upgrade leave two years ago

Despite penning a new deal just a couple of weeks ago, it’s imperative that Farke is less reliant on Aaronson if he is to achieve success during his time as Leeds boss.

The American international has shown that he is far too inconsistent and ineffective to provide the goods in the Premier League, with the likes of Wilson and Okafor needing to be ahead in the pecking order.

New signing Jean-Matteo Bahoya will also be craving an opportunity to stake his claim for a regular starting role after joining from Eintracht Frankfurt on deadline day.

However, the supporters will no doubt wish they were able to call upon the quality of attacking midfielder Georginio Rutter after his time at Elland Road.

He may have taken his time to settle into life in Yorkshire, but his final season saw him star under Farke and help the Whites reach the Championship play-off final.

The Frenchman registered six goals and 15 assists in his 45 league outings during 2023/24 - ending the campaign as the club’s second-highest goal contributor behind Crysencio Summerville.

He would subsequently join Brighton & Hove Albion for £40m in the summer of 2024, which saw the Whites lose one of their key attacking talents after their failure to secure promotion.

Rutter has since taken his career to the next level, with the 24-year-old even managing to outperform Aaronson in England’s top-flight over recent seasons.

Last season, the former Leeds star managed to create more chances per 90 than the American international, whilst also registering more line-breaking passes.

Such numbers showcase his tremendous ability to trouble the opposition in attacking areas, something which has been lacking since his departure a couple of years ago.

He also managed to complete more of the dribbles he attempted, whilst also registering more progressive carries - which saw him end last season with six combined goals and assists in the league.

Despite featuring fewer times during the current campaign, Rutter has also registered more assists than Aaronson, further showcasing his dominance within the final third.

Undoubtedly, Leeds were left with no choice but to cash in on the Frenchman, but that doesn’t take away from the feeling that supporters still dearly miss his presence.

He's certainly a class above the American international at present, with the Brighton star a player who would have thrived in Farke’s current system at Elland Road.