Just 7 Games: Leeds United Told To Cut Ties With ‘New Samu Saiz’ At Elland Road

Leeds United have built one of the most exciting squads seen at Elland Road for many years, but there are still some difficult decisions waiting for Daniel Farke.

The Whites have added plenty of quality to their squad, and the competition for places is now much stronger than it was during their Championship promotion campaign. That has left some familiar faces fighting for regular football, and one player who finds himself in a difficult position is Brenden Aaronson.

The American attacker has had a very mixed spell in West Yorkshire since joining Leeds, with some excellent moments mixed with periods where he has struggled to produce enough goals and assists.

There is now a comparison being made with former Leeds attacking midfielder Samu Saiz, another player who had plenty of ability but could not show it consistently enough at Elland Road. Football FanCast has argued that Aaronson’s situation has reached a point where Leeds should consider moving him on.

It is an interesting comparison because Saiz arrived at Leeds with a big reputation in Spain but never became the regular match-winner many supporters hoped for.

Aaronson has had more opportunities than Saiz and has also enjoyed a strong promotion season, but his Premier League record has remained inconsistent.

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Brenden Aaronson has never fully convinced at Leeds

Leeds signed Aaronson from RB Salzburg in 2022 for a reported fee of around £24.7m. He arrived as a young attacking midfielder with a lot of energy, creativity and the ability to play in different attacking positions.

His first Premier League season was difficult, though, and Leeds were eventually relegated.

The American then spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Union Berlin before returning to Elland Road. His Leeds career could easily have ended at that point, but Farke gave him another opportunity, and Aaronson became an important member of the promotion-winning side.

That 2024/25 Championship campaign was clearly the best period of his Leeds career in terms of goals. He scored nine times as the Whites won promotion back to the Premier League.

However, the step back into the top flight has again raised questions.

Aaronson scored four goals and registered five assists in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, figures which show that he can contribute. Leeds themselves praised his form when announcing his new contract in August, describing his previous Premier League season as impressive and highlighting his versatility across attacking midfield, the wings and a position behind the striker.

But the argument against him is that Leeds need more regular production from an attacking player.

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Aaronson and Saiz comparison

Saiz’s first season was not actually a complete failure. He scored five league goals and supplied seven assists, showing that there was clearly talent there.

The bigger problem was consistency.

He was eventually suspended for six matches after an incident involving Newport County’s Robbie Willmott in the FA Cup. After another difficult spell, Saiz joined Getafe on loan in January 2019 and later left Leeds permanently for Girona.

Aaronson has not had that type of disciplinary problem, but the comparison comes from the feeling that both players have had the technical ability to make a big difference without doing it often enough.

That is where Farke and Leeds have a decision to make.

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Leeds have more competition than ever at Elland Road

The biggest problem for Aaronson now is not simply his own performances.

It is the quality of the players around him.

Leeds have added significant depth to their squad, with players such as Harry Wilson, Noah Okafor, Daniel James and other attacking options competing for places. The club’s official squad list confirms Aaronson remains part of the first-team group and wears the No.11 shirt.

That competition means Farke does not have to keep selecting the same players simply because they were part of the promotion-winning team.

Aaronson has already shown he can be useful. His work rate, movement and ability to play several positions remain valuable. He can operate centrally, from either side or behind the striker, giving Farke another tactical option.

But Leeds are now trying to establish themselves in the Premier League, and that means attacking players will be judged heavily on their end product.

The Football FanCast article claims Aaronson had started only the opening league match of the 2026/27 season before falling down the pecking order, while also pointing out that he had no league goal involvement in the early part of the campaign.

That is a very different situation from the previous season, when he was trusted regularly.

There is also an important point on the other side of the argument.

Leeds gave Aaronson a new three-year contract in August 2026, showing that the club still saw value in keeping him at Elland Road. Aaronson himself said he wanted to remain part of the club’s future and described Yorkshire as his second home.

So while there is an argument for selling him, the situation is not as simple as saying Leeds have already decided to move him on.

For Farke, the question is whether Aaronson can turn his talent into consistent Premier League performances.

If he can, Leeds could still benefit from keeping him. If he cannot, the increased competition in the squad means there are now other players capable of taking his minutes.

That is why the Samu Saiz comparison has appeared.

Saiz had the ability to excite Leeds fans but ultimately could not maintain the required level. Aaronson has already had more time to prove himself, including a very good Championship campaign and a respectable Premier League season.

The next step will be crucial.

With Leeds now looking to push forward after returning to the Premier League, every attacking position is under pressure. Aaronson has already been given another chance through his new contract, but he will need to show why he deserves to remain an important part of Farke’s plans.

For now, his Leeds story is still being written.

The difference between Aaronson and Saiz is that the American still has the opportunity to change the conversation.

Whether he takes it could have a major impact on his future at Elland Road.

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