Brenden Aaronson gets brutal ‘nowhere near Premier League level’ assessment as USMNT star faces transfer questions on the back of Leeds United promotion

The United States international moved to Elland Road in 2022 when the Whites were rubbing shoulders with the elite. Relegation was suffered at the end of his debut campaign, leading to a loan spell at Union Berlin being taken in.

Aaronson returned to West Yorkshire last summer and figured prominently for Leeds as they collected 100 points and the Championship title in 2024-25. He registered a career-best return of nine goals, alongside two assists.

He did, however, find the target just once when previously turning out in the Premier League and has seen a former Leeds star suggest that he is not good enough to form part of plans ahead of a return to that level.

Ex-England international goalkeeper Paul Robinson has told Football Insider: “Last time Leeds were in the Premier League, players struggled. They went up with a very similar squad and there’s players in that squad that struggled.

“Pick two out that have been playing every week in the Championship, Junior Firpo and Brenden Aaronson. They were nowhere near Premier League level. They’re going to have to strengthen the squad and they’re going to have to strengthen the squad in certain areas very cleverly.”

Aaronson is under contract at Leeds through to 2027. He may, however, be deemed surplus to requirements as the Whites seek to raise funds through sales and free up space in their squad for further additions.