Latest news with #Aaronson
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Jury is still out in terms of new boys'
We asked for your thoughts on what Leeds' midfield should look like next what you said:Richard: Tanaka was one our best players last season. He should definitely have a place. Longstaff is also a must. The other two should be subs initially, but changing after 60 mins plus, depending on the game. But all the players are good to mix and match in midfield positions! I think Tanaka, Bogle and Willy Gnonto played a fantastic three against Manchester Stach, Tanaka, Ampadu. Simple I was at the game and I thought Aaronson played really well against Villarreal. I know he has his doubters but he gives it his all every game and I think over last season he's really improved. For me, he is a known factor and worth a starting With the focus on midfield and defence in the recruitment so far, determining the midfield starters is challenging. The friendlies have not really cleared that up. Ampadu has looked really solid. Tanaka and Aaronson have both taken their opportunities and looked good. The jury is still out for me in terms of the new boys, and how they can be blended into a starting formation. The Everton game will be revealing.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pulisic's surge to Balogun's plunge: how USMNT stars fared in Europe this season
There is, understandably, a lot of angst going around the US men's national team fanbase. Recent performances have not been up to standard, and disappointing results are creating a distinctly doom-y feeling just over a year out from the start of a home World Cup. What might be lost in all of this is what was, by and large, a very solid season for Americans abroad. Here's how the major figures affected their international standing this past season (Major figures meaning: players who have been involved with the senior team within the last year or so). Christian Pulisic: The USMNT's best player also enjoyed his finest season as a professional, emerging as a crucial player for Milan, even as the team suffered a disappointing campaign. Pulisic appeared in 50 games for Milan for the second straight season, but scored more goals and added more assists in those appearances. He can claim to be one of the best all-around attacking players in Serie A, leading the league in chances created, according to Opta. If his Gold Cup absence helps him stay fit and in form for the World Cup, it's doubtful anyone will care about missing this summer's tournament come next June. Johnny Cardoso: Johnny has been a minor revelation over the course of Real Betis' season, which could end in silverware with Wednesday's Europa Conference League final against Chelsea. The Brazilian-born defensive midfielder ranks among the elite at his position in interceptions, clearances, aerials won, and take-ons (all according to FBRef), showing his importance as a defensive shield and press-breaker. He could be in line for a step up: Atlético Madrid are reportedly interested in prying him from Betis. Brenden Aaronson: Aaronson appeared in all 46 of Leeds's league games and started the vast majority of them, racking up a little over 3,500 minutes – by far the most he's played in a season. He had 11 goal contributions (nine goals, two assists) for the best attack in the Championship, and helped his team off the ball with relentless pressing. There's no guarantee Aaronson will get as much time in the Premier League next season, but his 2024-25 campaign was still important to establish himself at a decent level. Malik Tillman: Tillman had a breakout season for PSV in 2023-24, and he topped that this season as PSV once again captured the Dutch title while he earned Player of the Season nods from multiple outlets. Tillman set a career high in goals and came close to doing the same in total minutes – especially impressive considering he missed two months with an ankle injury. The question now for Tillman is whether PSV will get an offer they can't refuse for him from a bigger league. Antonee Robinson: When the season started, Robinson was among the best left-backs in the Premier League. Now that the season is done, he's still in that conversation. Robinson was a consistent threat down the left for Fulham, only taking a step back towards the end of the year due to a case of tendinopathy (which will also keep him from the US squad this summer). There continue to be rumors of an incoming move for Robinson from one of the Premier League's Big Six, and they continue to be justified. Ricardo Pepi: The only thing keeping Pepi from the top category was January's knee injury that ruled him out for the rest of PSV's season. Before that point, Pepi had scored 17 times in 27 appearances, including twice in the Champions League. He seemed to be forcing a genuine competition between himself and grizzled vet Luuk de Jong. If he can keep this up next season, he'll continue to be relevant in the US's striker debate. Tanner Tessmann: Tessmann struggled to establish himself early on at Lyon, but gradually got more time at defensive midfield and looked more comfortable after jumping from Serie B, where he spent last season with Venezia. In all, it was a season of growth for Tessmann, who got an extended look with the US at the Nations League but missed the cut for the Gold Cup. Chris Richards: His numbers with Crystal Palace are similar this season as last, but playing all 90 minutes of every game of the team's captivating run to FA Cup glory counts for a lot. The center back is starting to look the part of the US's first-choice central defender, though his ideal partner is still very much an open debate. Speaking of which … Mark McKenzie: McKenzie was a consistent starter for Toulouse in Ligue 1, and there's much to be said for establishing oneself as that in a top European league. His individual performances have not always stood out, but this season certainly improved his standing. One wrinkle: at Toulouse he has usually played as the left side of a three-man backline – not a formation that the US plays often. Damion Downs: A surprise inclusion on the Gold Cup training camp roster, Downs scored 11 times in all competitions for Köln in the this season, helping the club top the table and get back into the top flight. The Germany/US dual national has speed, size and an eye for goal, but it's hard to know how where he ranks in the rest of the striker pool right now. We'll find out more this summer. Josh Sargent: The Norwich City striker continued to bang in the goals – 15 this year after 16 last year in the Championship, with five assists this season. Also like last season, Sargent missed significant time in the middle of the campaign due to injury (in 2024-25 it was groin surgery, in 2023-24 it was an ankle injury). Sargent is still looking for a season in which he a) stays healthy for a full season, b) maintains his scoring record in a top division, and c) carries at least some of that form over to the national team. As it is, he remains in the Championship for now and was left off the Gold Cup squad in what Pochettino called a 'football decision.' Alejandro Zendejas: Zendejas was a key contributor to a strong Club América side that may yet compete in the Club World Cup. His numbers are in line with where they've been for the previous two seasons, and his direct style on the wing provides a different look than many USMNT players at the position. Haji Wright: Wright scored 12 goals while helping Coventry reach the Championship play-offs, where they fell to Sunderland. He missed about three months with an ankle injury and split time between left wing and center forward. The same versatility and finishing instincts that brought him to the national team are still there, which is why he'll re-join the US this summer. Weston McKennie: To see McKennie's value to Juventus this year, just look at the positions they had him play. Central midfield, right-back, left-back, attacking midfield, second striker … McKennie did just about everything for La Vecchia Signora this season. And this after he was once again shopped very openly by the club in the off-season. That probably won't be happening this time around, with McKennie signing a deserved contract extension earlier this month. He's a lock in a first-choice US squad, and seems as if he'll be in the picture for Juve for at least another year. Cameron Carter-Vickers: Another season, another consistent role in the heart of the Celtic defense, another Scottish Premiership title. That's four straight domestic league trophies now for CCV with Celtic. Those consistent minutes and trophies didn't lead to a spot with the US for this summer's Gold Cup, though. Gianluca Busio: Busio enjoyed a consistent role in central midfield for Venezia and enjoyed some bright moments, but the season ends with a bitter taste due to Venezia's relegation to Serie B. Busio is 22 and just completed his fourth season with Venezia, with this being the club's second relegation in that time. Busio has been solid enough in Serie A to merit a move to stay at that level, and his contract expires in 2026 – the time is right for Venezia to make a move. Tyler Adams: After missing the first couple months of the season with ongoing back problems, Adams put together his best and, perhaps more importantly, healthiest season since joining Bournemouth. Adams finished with just over 2,000 minutes played for the second time in three years, and ranked in the top quarter among his positional peers in the Big 5 leagues in tackles, interceptions, blocks, clearances, and aerial duels won. His case to stay on the national team doesn't need to be made now that he's fully healthy. Joe Scally: Scally was a dependable, every-game starter for Borussia Mönchengladbach, just as he was for the previous three seasons. His role on the national team is also well-established – primarily depth at full-back. He hasn't made a leap into the next category yet, but he's still just 22 – that's more than OK. Tim Weah: What's his best position? Weah started off as a center forward, rose through the ranks at PSG and the US as a winger, but has been playing a fair amount of wingback for Juventus over the past season. Versatility is no bad thing, but Weah has yet to establish a consistent role and much depends on whether Juventus manager Igor Tudor sticks around, and what system he or his successor will deploy next season. Sergiño Dest: For Dest, this season was all about one thing: getting healthy. He has done so, recovering from an offseason ACL tear in time to make appearances in PSV's last handful of league games before capturing the Eredivisie title. He will make his return to the national team this summer, and it remains to be seen to what degree he'll mesh with Pochettino. John Tolkin: Tolkin had a rough introduction to the German Bundesliga after making the move from his hometown New York Red Bulls, playing 11 games and notching two assists as Holstein Kiel finished in the relegation zone. The question, then, is whether Tolkin will be able to stand out in the which is what might be needed for him to get another call to the national team before the World Cup. Marlon Fossey: For the second straight season Fossey was a consistent starter at right-back for Standard Liège. They are usually traditionally a power in Belgium but finished seventh this season. Fossey was a part of the United States squad at the most recent Nations League, but did not impress enough to make the cut for the Gold Cup training camp. Matko Miljevic: Miljevic moved from Newell's to Huracán in Argentina, reportedly after some disciplinary issues. He has seemingly done alright so far this season, but wasn't part of the Gold Cup training camp and seems a longshot to be a consistent fixture in the US team. Giovanni Reyna: There is no questioning Reyna's raw talent, but it's clearly long past time for him to get a fresh start. Reyna amassed just over 600 minutes for Borussia Dortmund this season, the vast majority of which were late appearances off the bench in which he usually failed to make much of an impact. Even if it means dropping to a less-fancied team or league, Reyna needs time on the field. Yunus Musah: Musah requested to be excluded from the US national team this summer with what the federation called a 'personal issue'. We don't know if that issue is part of what led to Musah's funk at Milan this season, where he was in and out of the lineup, tried in many different positions, and generally failed to impress much at any of them. It seems like Musah needs a reset, and that's what he'll get this summer. Matt Turner: Turner is still locked in a competition to be the US No 1 goalkeeper, but every day he spends on the bench for his club side weakens his case a little bit more. Turner either needs to find a way to beat out Dean Henderson at Crystal Palace (unlikely), or move somewhere he'll get consistent time as a starter. Auston Trusty: Trusty traded long periods as Carter-Vickers' first-choice central defensive partner with multi-week stints on the bench for Celtic. He impressed at various points in the Champions League, but overall didn't do much to increase his standing internationally. Folarin Balogun: It's fair to say at this point that the move to Monaco after a 21-goal season with Stade de Reims has not worked out. Balogun has only scored 12 times in the two seasons since, and in 2024-25 he spent long periods out with shoulder and ankle injuries. In the meantime, his competition at striker for the national team has only gotten more intense. When healthy and in form, Balogun is an easy pick for the US. He hasn't been either of those things for a while now.
New York Times
22-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
USMNT Player Tracker: Championship special, plus Pulisic preparing for Inter challenge
Welcome to this week's Championship Special USMNT tracker, a look at English football's frenetic second tier and the Americans battling in it. Dubbed 'Europe's most exciting division', the Championship had been gloriously hard to say with any certainty who would be going up or down ahead of the Easter weekend. That picture is clearer now with two U.S.-owned clubs clinching promotion, although who will lift the trophy as champions is still very much up for grabs. There is still the chance of playoff glory for other USMNT players, too. So here we go… The Premier League's U.S. contingent has a pair of familiar returnees. Two of the USMNT's exciting young attacking talents will now play at the top level in Europe once again next season after Brenden Aaronson's Leeds United and Luca Koleosho's Burnley both earned promotion. That, of course, is providing neither moves to pastures new over the close season — although both have plenty of time on their contracts, with Aaronson's lasting until summer 2027 and Koleosho's 2029. Advertisement Aaronson has played the larger part this term in contributing to his team's success. The 24-year-old has been a proper mainstay, appearing in all of Leeds' 44 league games so far and starting 41 of them. Words such as 'robust' and 'resilient' come to mind, particularly when you consider the grinding nature of the Championship with fixtures coming thick and fast. And the relentless drama the division throws up. Koleosho, who is still just 20, started the campaign like he may also be a pivotal part of Burnley's title push, making 25 appearances in the club's 28 games until the new year, when he vanished from manager Scott Parker's plans. In truth, the wide player had already struggled to recapture the exciting form he showed in the Premier League the previous season; his December 2023 knee injury was considered a significant blow for their ultimately unsuccessful survival fight. Instead, as is often the case with young players, Koleosho's form waxed and waned, even when he was playing regularly this season, and Koleosho has spent much of the business end of the campaign on the bench. Perhaps he can revive his potential once more in the top flight next term but, either way, the weekend was hugely positive for both players and their American-owned clubs. Our writer Phil Hay underlined why promotion was so important for Leeds in The Athletic's excellent daily newsletter. '49ers Enterprises — the investment vehicle controlled by the San Francisco 49ers and the majority stakeholder at Elland Road — didn't set out to run a Championship team,' he wrote. 'It sought a top-flight acquisition but changed its plans after Leeds were relegated in 2023. Two seasons in England's second tier have been expensive, largely because Championship clubs are money pits. In 2023-24 alone, Leeds lost £60million ($80m).' As Phil points out, there are other big NFL names involved with Burnley's return — chiefly J.J. Watt, a former defensive end for the Houston Texans and investor in the Lancashire club, who will certainly approve of their record of shutouts this season. Parker's side have only conceded 15 goals in 44 league games. Both clubs will now try to establish themselves at the top table and avoid the yo-yoing fortunes which have kept their fans on edge in recent seasons. Well, for starters, Josh Sargent. But wait, Norwich's season has stalled, they've just sacked their manager, and any hopes of making the playoffs have long since been dashed? All true, but it is still very possible that Sargent is scoring goals in the Premier League next season for any of a number of top-flight suitors who have tracked his prolific form during Norwich's middling season. Advertisement The 25-year-old was on target with his 15th goal of the season on Good Friday, even if the strike ultimately didn't help his team avoid a 5-3 defeat at home by Portsmouth, a result which probably set the sacking of manager Johannes Hoff Thorup in motion ahead of the 3-1 loss to Millwall on Monday. The goal kept the American, who was taken off injured in the second half, fourth in the Championship's top-scorer chart despite missing huge chunks of the season through injury, and reminded those Premier League clubs needing a new centre-forward what he can do when he is fit. Another USMNT forward who may make it into the Premier League is Haji Wright. Coventry City's fortunes were better than Norwich's over the Easter schedule, with a big 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Good Friday ensuring they stayed in the playoff places, even if they followed it by losing 3-1 to bottom-side Plymouth Argyle. Wright pulled a goal back for his team on Monday — illustrated in Jeff Rueter's graphic of the weekend below — and now has 12 for the season. Elsewhere across the division, Mauricio Pochettino was spotted at Watford's game with Burnley at Vicarage Road on Friday, presumably watching Caleb Wiley firsthand. The hosts' 20-year-old left-back, who spent the first half of the season with Strasbourg in France, is on loan from Chelsea. The former Atlanta United defender played the full game last week as his side lost 2-1 to Burnley. He followed that up with another 90 minutes in Monday's 1-0 loss to Portsmouth. But it remains to be seen where Wiley will end up next season. But there is one U.S. forward for whom the Premier League feels out of reach just now. Daryl Dike's injury-ravaged 2024-25 season with U.S.-owned West Brom entered a new phase of uncertainty when the club sacked manager Tony Mowbray on Sunday, with their chances of making the playoffs remote. The 24-year-old striker is likely focusing on an injury-free campaign next seaon, wherever he plays. That awful Achilles injury suffered in February 2024 means he has not started a game for the Baggies this season, having spent almost a year on the sidelines. Name: Christian Pulisic Club: Milan Position: Forward Appearances (all competitions): 43 Goals: 15 Away from the Championship, Milan's 2-1 defeat by Atalanta on Sunday further reduced the Rossoneri's already slim chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season. They stay ninth, nine points behind Bologna in fourth, and even creeping into the Europa League through their league finish is far from straightforward now. Advertisement Pulisic & Co can still make it into that competition if they lift the Coppa Italia, though, so watch this space with their chance of doing that resting on a semi-final derby against Inter at San Siro in midweek. Their tie is beautifully poised at 1-1 after the first leg. Name: Kevin Paredes Club: Wolfsburg Position: Midfielder/Wing-back Appearances: 1 After a frustratingly long spell out on the sidelines, one of the USMNT's more intriguing attacking talents finally returned for his Bundesliga club on Saturday. Paredes wasted little time during his first start of the season since recovering from injury. He showed his agility and nous to create Maximilian Arnold's thumping opener for Wolfsburg in the 2-2 draw with Mainz. It was a great way for the 21-year-old, who lit up last summer's Men's Olympics soccer tournament with his U.S. performances, to remind everyone what he is about. Paredes' compatriot Lennard Maloney was an unused sub for Mainz. Name: Chris Richards Club: Crystal Palace Position: Centre-half Appearances: 26 Goals: 1 It was a chastening afternoon for Richards as Palace welcomed Bournemouth to Selhurst Park in the Premier League. The centre-back was booked harshly early on, then shown a second yellow card in first-half stoppage time for an equally soft foul to endure the first sending off of his Palace career. At least his team-mates ground out a goalless draw in his absence. Richards will now miss the midweek game at Arsenal through suspension, but will hope to regain his place for Saturday's eagerly anticipated trip to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa. Name: Gianluca Busio Club: Venezia Position: Midfielder Appearances: 29 Busio is in the middle of a relegation scrap with Venezia in Serie A, and he scored during their 2-2 draw with Empoli on Sunday. Advertisement It was only the second goal of a tough season for the 22-year-old, who hasn't managed any assists either, despite being a regular in the team. The goal ensured a point apiece for both sides from a contest neither could afford to lose. Both are locked on 25 points and linger in the relegation zone, but Venezia sit above Empoli only on goal difference. (All Eastern Time) So can Pulisic and Yunus Musah help save — or at least soothe — Milan's season by beating rivals Inter to reach the Coppa Italia final? We're about to find out. Both Milan clubs go into Wednesday's semi-final second leg stinging from recent defeats. The Rossoneri's turbulent season continued with that reverse to Atalanta, while Inter failed to pull away in the title race by losing 1-0 to Bologna on Sunday. Still, you'd rather be in table-topping Inter's position heading into this high-pressure derby. Perhaps Pulisic and the rest of Sergio Conceicao's men can cling to the psychological marker of January, when they beat Inter in the Supercoppa Italiana. See what happens in the game at 3pm (Peacock Premium). Over in the Premier League, might there be a start for Matt Turner for Crystal Palace in their midweek trip to Arsenal? Manager Oliver Glasner has suggested he will rotate his team ahead of Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa, and might consider giving England's Dean Henderson a breather (also 3pm, Peacock Premium). Also on Wednesday, Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis will be in La Liga action against Valladolid (3:30pm, ESPN +), and a win would keep the U.S. midfielder's dream of playing Champions League football with his club next season alive. After beating Girona 3-1 on Monday, Betis are only a point behind Villarreal in fifth (with the top five in Spain all qualifying for next season's Champions League). Cardoso scored the first goal of that win on Monday. (Top photos: Getty Images)
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Quantum Computer Generates Truly Random Number in Scientific First
A quantum machine has used entangled qubits to generate a number certified as truly random for the first time, demonstrating a handy function that's physically beyond even the most powerful supercomputer. Researchers from the US and UK repurposed existing quantum supremacy experiments on Quantinuum's 56-qubit computer to roll God's dice. The result was a number so random, no amount of physics could have predicted it. Quantum technology is becoming critical for secure electronic communication as cybersecurity threats increase. Computer scientist Rajeeb Hazra, president and CEO of Quantinuum, says this is "a pivotal milestone that brings quantum computing firmly into the realm of practical, real-world applications." Several years ago, University of Texas Austin computer scientists Scott Aaronson and Shih-Han Hung proposed a way to generate certified random bits based on random circuit sampling – a method to test a device's ability to squeeze as much quantum magic from its qubits with the least amount of classical tinkering. "When I first proposed my certified randomness protocol in 2018, I had no idea how long I'd need to wait to see an experimental demonstration of it," says Aaronson. "Building upon the original protocol and realizing it is a first step toward using quantum computers to generate certified random bits for actual cryptographic applications." When we roll dice, pick a card, or think of a number between one and a billion, our actions are a combination of countless rules, each as fundamentally reliable and predictable as a pendulum's swing. Even chaotic phenomena like the swirl of wax in a wall of lava lamps are – in theory – destined by thermodynamics. As complex as this web of rules might appear, the fact they are each predetermined to have a single outcome by physics leaves room for patterns that could be exploited by a sufficiently smart computer. Which isn't what you want when you'd prefer your encryptions to be impossible to break, or your Dungeons and Dragons half-elf paladin to have a truly random charisma score. Quantum physics plays by a different set of rules, one with its own built-in random number generator determining a particle's properties. As far as we know, there are no hidden strings at work nearby that a supercomputer could cleverly hedge its bets on. Stitching together the fates of 56 'quantum dice' and using Aaronson's and Hung's protocol to minimize the intrusion of classical physics, the team forced Quantinuum's device to solve a series of problems that relied on its random selection process. To make sure the end result qualified as suitably random, the researchers verified the result across multiple supercomputers using a standardized benchmark protocol that compares the quantum server's results with theoretical ideals. With a combined performance of more than one million trillion operations per second (1.1 exaflops), the computers gave the process a score that easily clears the benchmark for true randomness. This result left no doubt that the solution contained no loopholes a bank of advanced supercomputers might find and unravel, given enough time. Using quantum uncertainty to generate random bits isn't new in itself. Yet by accessing Quantinuum's recently upgraded System Model H2 quantum computer over the internet to carry out the task, the team demonstrated the ultimate game of 'pick a number' could soon be played by just about anybody around the world. "Our application of certified quantum randomness not only demonstrates the unmatched performance of our trapped-ion technology," says Hazra, "but sets a new standard for delivering robust quantum security and enabling advanced simulations across industries like finance, manufacturing, and beyond. This research was published in Nature. Paralyzed Man Controls a Robotic Arm With The Power of His Mind Imaginary Numbers Are an Important Tool For Technology And Engineering Squids' Amazing Color Shifting Could Be Key to Hyper-Efficient Solar Tech
New York Times
19-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
What Wilfried Gnonto offers Leeds as a No 10: Passing, pressing and attacking instincts
Brenden Aaronson's first assist in 15 matches was for Leeds United's opponents. Everything about the creation of Koki Saito's opener for Queens Park Rangers on Saturday summed up the American's shortcomings and strengths on the field. Aaronson was alive to the threat from out wide, intercepted the pass on the edge of his 18-yard box, then lost all composure and simply teed the ball up for Saito to curl home the first goal of a 2-2 draw (the sequence is cued up in the video below). It may well prove to be the watershed moment in Aaronson's season. The 24-year-old midfielder had never been hooked as early as half-time before in the current campaign, but after what happened at the weekend, he began the second half at Loftus Road sitting behind Daniel Farke in the dugout. United States national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino's decision to overlook him for their two games in this international break may be a blessing in disguise for Aaronson. A fortnight away from the heat of public opinion could be the ideal reset he needs ahead of a decisive eight games with Leeds that he can still impact. Will that be as a substitute, however? Aaronson has started 36 consecutive Championship matches since August, but Farke may be at a tipping point with his preferred No 10. Advertisement Aaronson is one of Leeds' four most attacking players and has played a lion's share of the minutes for a team who are top of the table and have scored 35 goals in 16 matches since Boxing Day, yet he has finished or created only two of them. Even with his admirable work rate and determination, that's a disappointing return for somebody playing his position for such a goal-laden side. Scoring stats aside, when you are part of a footballing machine that goes 17 league matches unbeaten from December to March, there is some immunity to rotation. However, Leeds have taken five points from the available 12 in their past four Championship games and Aaronson has to be the first of that very productive front four on the chopping block. What helped the team's cause, though not Aaronson's individually, was his replacement Wilfried Gnonto's performance against QPR. Before Farke settled into his preferred XI at the start of the winter, there was a period where the 21-year-old Italian looked like a makeshift solution playing behind striker Joel Piroe as a No 10. The manager has, though, consistently talked up the importance of Aaronson's running and how that compensates for his team-mates. The implication is Gnonto does not cover the same amount of ground and, as a result, that weakens the team. It's a very small sample size of 45 minutes at Loftus Road, but Gnonto's impact after coming on for Aaronson was instantaneous and intoxicating as he delivered the attacking verve Leeds fans have been craving for weeks from that central pocket. Afterwards, Farke conceded he had been tempted to start Gnonto in Aaronson's place. That tipping point is close. 'It's a bit difficult for him because he's naturally not a central player,' Farke said of Gnonto. 'He's more of a winger and we have our in-form wingers with Daniel James and Manor Solomon. In his position, it's tough for him. Advertisement 'Although I like him so much and he delivers relentless work, also in training, to improve, and had also some good cameos when he came in, he has perhaps not convinced at No 10. We've played him one or two times already there, and Millwall in the cup was not the best outcome, but the feeling is he's also learning a bit more to create a good situation in the centre. 'This was what he did in the second half (on Saturday), perhaps not with his pressing load, but he played a decisive pass before we equalised. He was involved in this goal and it was a good performance.' Gnonto, as Farke says, has played less than one per cent of his league minutes as Leeds' No 10. The conclusions we can draw are scant, but the nuts and bolts are there for the manager to work with, especially if he recalls Ilia Gruev to play as a more vigilant defensive midfielder in the pivot behind. Of the data we have access to, Gnonto has shown an eye for a pass when playing off the right flank. His preferred passing zones congregate down that channel. As he's right-footed, this may not be a huge surprise, but it shows that when playing through the centre and off his preferred foot, the ability to find that pass is there. Against QPR at the weekend, Gnonto's single biggest impact came with his penetrating ball through the lines that took four defenders out and put James in for what became the equaliser at 2-2. There were other really telling contributions from him in that channel, too. On two occasions, virtually back to back, Gnonto found Jayden Bogle in space on the touchline down Leeds' right. The right-back then delivered a pair of wicked crosses, which should have been buried by team-mates in the six-yard box. It wasn't just his passing that caught the eye in west London. Gnonto's attacking instincts, as someone who began their career as a striker, will ask questions in behind defences, too. On more than one occasion, he offered a passing option to team-mates in a tightly congested penalty area. Below, you can see Solomon driving inside from the left as Gnonto, starting centrally, runs into the channel ahead of him. This movement creates more space for the Israeli and offers him a dangerous route into the QPR box. We then had Gnonto showing his flair. Here, the forward takes the ball in with his back to goal, drawing defenders and playing a back-heel pass into Junior Firpo's path for a low cross that should have, again, been buried by Leeds attackers running in on goal. Pressing and work rate have been highlighted by Farke as the key facets of Aaronson's game. However, both were also on show from Gnonto in Saturday's second half. In this next shot, we can see him beginning his press from a long way back to force goalkeeper Paul Nardi into a hurried, aerial pass that Firpo would eventually collect in the Leeds half. In the same passage of play below, we see how impressive Gnonto is at receiving the ball in tight spaces, which is, of course, the norm in that No 10 slot. Ao Tanaka feeds a pass to his team-mate, Gnonto takes it in stride and draws defenders to him. Gnonto offers a threat on the move (only Solomon can beat his 4.3 take-ons per 90 minutes for Leeds this season), which means opponents' defensive shapes will be disrupted in their attempts to close him down, which then creates space for his team-mates. Advertisement Here, he takes the ball, dribbles, gets crowded out by four defenders, but, crucially, does not turn possession over. He passes back to Joe Rothwell and then, as the next Leeds wave threatens to break down, it is Gnonto who puts a foot in on the 6ft 2in Michael Frey to ensure his team retain the ball. In another phase, a perhaps underestimated element of Gnonto's game is shown: his strength when in possession. He may be just 5ft 7in, but he is stocky and hard to knock over or bully off the ball. Jack Colback, QPR's resident midfield disruptor, goes shoulder-to-shoulder with Gnonto in our next screengrab but fails to knock him off the ball. The Leeds man retains possession, holds off Colback's challenge and gets the ball safely to Rothwell to start a new phase of play. It's unfair to ignore the good work Aaronson still brings to the table. The below series of images, also from Saturday's match, underline just how relentless he is in hassling and harrying to try to win the ball back for his team. First, he gets after Lucas Andersen… … then he pushes on to Kenneth Paal, who has just received the retreating Andersen's hurried pass. Paal then has no option, under pressure from the American, but to play back even further to Morgan Fox. The centre-back then feels the same heat as Aaronson keeps on chasing. However, Aaronson's own attacking play had less of an impact on the match. There are game-state factors that can impact this, such as the overall performance of Leeds' team or the greater freshness in QPR legs with the home side having played a day earlier in midweek, which meant he dropped deeper than Gnonto often had to once he came on. However, an example of the frustration Aaronson can prompt with his choices in the final third is shown below. He has possession in a dangerous position on the edge of the QPR penalty area. Rather than play the simple through ball the underlapping James evidently wants, Aaronson tries a more difficult cross. Piroe is on the far side of the goal, surrounded by defenders. The attempted scoop to reach him does not even beat the first blocker. Again, it's a small sample size, but there is evidence of what Gnonto can bring to this position for Leeds. Aaronson may yet have his moments off the bench, if Farke does take him out of the firing line, but a home game against 16th-placed Swansea City next up a week on Saturday, a fixture Leeds should expect to dominate, may be the perfect time to give the Italian a go from the start.
