adminLeeds United need more time to strengthen and develop their squad at Premier League level after securing promotion to the division from the Championship last year.
The Whites are now in their second season back in the top flight, having finished 14th in the 2025/26 campaign. They have also suffered just one defeat in their opening six league matches this term.
However, Daniel Farke’s squad is still far from complete, and further work will be required in the upcoming transfer windows to improve the quality of the team across several positions.
The attack is one area that could be addressed during the January transfer window, particularly as players like Brenden Aaronson have struggled to make a consistent impact in the final third.
Why Brenden Aaronson Needs to Be Replaced
The USA international has failed to register a single goal or assist in the opening six Premier League matches of the season, although he did find the net in the 6-3 defeat to Chelsea in the League Cup.
Since the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign, Aaronson has started 32 of his 43 Premier League appearances for the West Yorkshire side, scoring four goals and recording five assists.
The former Salzburg star has not delivered consistently enough in front of goal, having gone 23 Premier League matches without scoring. As a result, Leeds should look to replace him in January.
Farke should push for the club to recruit another attacking midfielder who can become a regular starter, reducing the American playmaker’s responsibilities in the starting XI because of his limited influence on the ball.
Why Leeds Should Not Sell Aaronson
Although Aaronson needs to be replaced as a regular starter, that does not necessarily mean the Whites should sell the USMNT star during the next transfer window.
The 25-year-old midfielder remains a hard worker without possession, ranking in the top 13% of attacking midfielders for defensive contributions (216) last season. He can still offer something in certain fixtures or come off the bench when Leeds are already ahead.
Alongside his defensive work rate, Aaronson has also demonstrated that he can contribute goals and assists, registering nine goal contributions last season. This suggests that he could still be a useful option within the squad.
Therefore, Leeds should retain the attacking midfielder while reducing his importance within the team, rather than allowing him to leave in the next transfer window.
£15m Leeds Flop Should Be Sold Before Aaronson
While Aaronson could remain at Elland Road in a different role, one of his teammates could be moved on following the turn of the year.
In the summer of 2015, Leeds needed to strengthen their squad after earning promotion from the Championship, and one of the players they signed was central defender Jaka Bijol for £15m.
The Slovenia international began the campaign as a backup to Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk when Farke opted for a 4-3-3 formation. However, he was given an opportunity when the manager switched to a 3-4-2-1 system.
Bijol went on to start 21 of his 25 appearances in the division, helping the team keep five clean sheets and enjoying a reasonably solid first season in the Premier League.
Nevertheless, there has been little discussion about how disappointing he has been at the beginning of his second campaign with the Whites, as his performances have declined in recent months.
He has started only two of Leeds’ six Premier League matches and has quickly slipped down the pecking order, falling behind new arrivals Nico Elvedi and Tarik Muharemovic.
Bijol started the first two matches of the campaign but was substituted at half-time during the second game against Brentford after winning just one duel in 45 minutes of action.
His most recent start in all competitions came in the 6-3 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the League Cup in September. During that match, he was too slow to close down opponents and challenge several of the goals Leeds conceded.
The Slovenian defender has looked off the pace whenever he has been given an opportunity this season. This was evident when he was taken off against Brentford and when Leeds conceded six goals during his 90 minutes against Chelsea.
At present, Bijol does not appear to represent good value for money at £15m, and it remains unclear how he feels about being relegated to a backup role at Leeds. That situation could force Farke to make a decision about his future in January.
Consequently, the former Udinese defender could leave the club before Aaronson if he decides to seek a new team when the January transfer window opens.
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