Leeds United will need to find different ways to replace Crysencio Summerville this season.
An output of 31 goal contributions in all competitions made him the Championship’s best player in 2023/24, and at this level, it won’t be easy to find someone within budget who can replicate those numbers.
Leeds are very much in the market for at least one new winger with both Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, and Norwich City’s Jonathan Rowe of interest.
A deal has been agreed with Palace over a season-long-loan move for Rak-Sakyi, though it is still far from done as Sheffield United continue to lead the race.
Leeds, meanwhile, have made some progress in talks with Norwich for Rowe, but could be gazumped by Ligue 1 side Marseille, who are also keen.
Journalist makes huge Brenden Aaronson Leeds claim
Leeds do also have plenty of solutions to replace Summerville from within and the wing pairing of Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James, which is set to start against Portsmouth, is as good as any at this level.
However, having also lost Jaidon Anthony alongside Summerville, Leeds don’t have as much depth as they did last season.
Brenden Aaronson has returned from a loan spell at Union Berlin, and if pre-season is anything to go by, Farke could well use him on the left-hand-side.
Aaronson showed glimpses of what he can do in the Premier League during his one and only season at Leeds so far, and it will be very interesting to see how he performs at this level.
Speaking exclusively to LeedsUnited.News, journalist Graeme Bailey believes Aaronson has the potential to be the best player in the Championship if used correctly. If that was to happen, it would be a serious step towards replacing Summerville.
He said: “So many Leeds players have been linked but I don’t think so now. Leeds are not encouraging it and I don’t think they can afford to let too many go. We will see how it plays out, I don’t think they are in danger of losing too many now.
“Leeds are in a situation now where they are not massively worse off than what they were. Summerville and Gray are losses but Gray wasn’t playing centre midfield, he was playing right-back. Bogle has come in who is a good signing.
“The problem is you haven’t improved massively, but I think Brenden Aaronson is the one. Massive. He has all the potential to be the best player in the Championship next season and will be like a new signing for Leeds.
“He was misused before when he was at Leeds. I think Farke can get the best out of him and if he does, he could be the catalyst to Leeds’ promotion, he is that good.
“Him providing the ammunition for Rutter, Piroe, Bamford, Gnonto might be massive for them. Play him as a number 10, give him that option and I think he could be a staggeringly good player for Leeds this season.
Farke impressed with Aaronson in Leeds training
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Farke has been asked plenty of times about Aaronson over the course of pre-season following his decision to return.
Speaking after Saturday’s game against Valencia, Farke spoke of how impressed he has been with Aaronson’s quality, commitment and attitude in training.
He said: “They’ve not even been with us two weeks. They started the training camp in Germany but they need a bit of time to shine for us, 100%. But all the signs are good, really committed in training, good attitude.
“Obviously they need a bit of time to adapt, Max played a lot of games last season. Brenden more at the end of the season. They are in a good mood and have a point to prove. They have to convince everyone.
“They want to prove to everyone that they want to be a part of our family and we have to give them a chance. Right now it’s up to them to deliver. I have to say, in training and how they behaved, top class.
