Nobody in football knows Brenden Aaronson better than the man who coached him from the age of eight to just before his 18th birthday.
Brendan Burke says Leeds United have signed an unselfish, versatile, high IQ footballer who could have his best impact early on as a wide player before becoming a “No 10”.
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“The day isn’t long enough to say enough good things about Brenden,” says Burke. “He’s one of those special people that when you’re around them, even when they’re young, you know they’re going to succeed in a big way, you just don’t know exactly how.
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Some expect a box-to-box Mateusz Klich/Adam Forshaw-style midfield role but Burke thinks Jesse Marsch, Aaronson’s coach for six months at previous club Red Bull Salzburg, might use him differently.
“I think it’ll be easier for him to adjust as a wide player, especially in those first six months, but I know, based on my experience of guys who’ve moved to Europe, he has the ability to move inside and become a 10 at that level.
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“I don’t think there’s a level Brenden can’t play at. He’s built up his body to be far more durable than I thought he might when he was very young.
“His running output is insane, the top one or two per cent in world football (he is in Europe’s top one per cent for pressing). That speaks to his personality, his upbringing.
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“If you have that at that level playing for a manager like Jesse who all us American coaches look up to in a big, big way, I don’t see a way where Brenden doesn’t play his part at that level.
“Jesse’s out there to make the game predictable for his players defensively and do great work against the ball, then not mess around when they have it. So when you do have a high IQ player like Brenden you can rely on their physical output and when they have the ball you’re going to be putting them into positions where they can improvise and finish games.
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“He’s super humble, friendly and funny. He will engage with the fans and I’ll be shocked if his team-mates don’t love him.
“I’m hoping, praying for and expecting a big success.
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“And Leeds are going to be the most talked-about club in America.”
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-are-going-to-be-the-most-talked-about-club-in-america-3712701