Leeds United 2024 will end at the top of championship table after they traveled to Pride Park to secure a 1-0 win over Derby County on Sunday.
The white team is two points ahead of second-placed Sheffield United and three points ahead of third-placed Burnley, which shows how tight it is at the top of the league.
Daniel WakeThe team will need to maintain consistency in the second half of the 2024/25 season to ensure they do not slip into the play-offs, as they did last season.
The West Yorkshire side failed to secure automatic promotion and eventually lost 1-0 to Southampton in the final at Wembley in May, after finishing third in the regular season.
Leeds will be hoping for a different result this time around and they can use the upcoming January transfer window to make additions to their squad to boost their chances of promotion.
Interestingly, the Whites have set their sights on a player who currently plays for one of the teams they are competing with for automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Leeds eyeing Burnley star
According to the boot roomLeeds are one of a number of clubs in the mix to sign Burnley attacking midfielder Josh Brownhill in one of the next two transfer windows.
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The report claims that Fiorentina and Lazio have made offers to sign the Clarets captain, while Rangers and Celtic are both considering their own bids for the Englishman.
Brownhill's contract at Turf Moor expires at the end of the season and he is yet to sign the extension he has been offered, with the two Serie A sides now putting pre-contract deals on the table.
However, clubs in England will have to wait until the summer to negotiate a free transfer for him, and may need to see if they can reach an agreement on a permanent deal in January, allowing Burnley to recoup some money for his services.
Adds boot room Everton, West Ham United, Leeds, Crystal Palace and Brentford are the teams in England looking for a potential strike for the central midfielder.
While it remains to be seen whether the Whites will be able to seal a deal for him in January or on a free transfer in the summer, amid intense competition for his signature, Brownhill could come in as a great addition, and an even better option. Brenden Aaronson.
Brenden Aaronson's level this season
The USA international scored the winner against Derby County on Sunday, with a brilliant run and perfect finish to secure a 1-0 second-half win.
It has been all about redemption for the American midfielder this season after he decided to abandon the squad and go out on loan to Union Berlin for the 2023/24 season. Having been part of the Leeds side that were relegated from the Premier League the previous season, Aaronson did not want to play a part in helping the club return to the top flight and move to Germany.
But this summer, the 24-year-old returned to Elland Road in a bid to redeem himself and help the Whites return to the pinnacle of success.
He has worked hard in pre-season to earn the trust of Farke, who brought him into the fold, and has emerged as a key player for the club so far this season in the Championship.
Championship 24/25 |
Brenden Aaronson |
---|---|
It starts |
22 |
xG |
7.19 |
Objectives |
7 |
It created great opportunities |
5 |
Helps |
2 |
As you can see in the table above, the American gem has started 22 of the club's 24 league matches, contributing 12 goals and creating “big chances” combined.
He was unlucky, creating five 'big chances', registering only two assists, and was relatively effective in front of goal, matching his expected goals tally.
While Aaronson has been a solid contributor for Leeds at the top of the pitch, scoring the all-important goal against Derby on Sunday, Farke could secure a better player in that position by winning the race to bring Brownhill to Elland Road.
Why would Josh Brownhill be better than Brenden Aaronson?
Firstly, the 29-year-old Burnley player is an experienced star player who has played in the Premier League and Championship, meaning the club will be signing a player who does not need time to adapt to either division and can hit the ground running. .
This means that signing him would be less risky than spending millions on a player from another league with no previous football experience in England, as there is no telling how they will adapt to the country or league.
Brownhill's form at Championship and Premier League level also suggests he will offer more than Aaronson as a midfielder or striker.
In the 2023/24 season, £45,000 per week Produced sizzling Four goals and two assists In 23 Premier League starts, to go along with 2.8 tackles and interceptions per game and a duel success rate of 56%.
Where Aaronson succeeded One goal and three assists In 28 Premier League appearances, losing 60% of their duels, in the 2022/23 season, suggesting that Brownhill could have more to offer in and out of possession at the top level.
Championship 24/25 |
||
---|---|---|
Appearances |
23 |
24 |
xG |
4.69 |
7.19 |
Objectives |
9 |
7 |
It created great opportunities |
3 |
5 |
Helps |
3 |
2 |
– Tackles + interceptions per match |
2.4 |
1.5 |
Statistics via Sofascore |
As you can see in the table above, the Burnley star has also been more effective in front of goal than Aaronson in the Championship this season, while offering more from a defensive perspective in each game.
These stats, from the Premier League and the Championship, highlight the difference in quality between the players and suggest that Brownhill can come forward to improve the team, both in possession and out of possession.
Therefore, Farke must push to sign the 29-year-old gem She was once hailed as “energetic.” By Critic Lee Hendry Whether in January or in the summer, he can be an excellent addition.