Rarely-seen Leeds talent could be a surprise Aaronson replacement

Daniel Farke’s reputation as a ropey Premier League manager is back under the spotlight at Leeds United.

The under-fire German has now lost a colossal 40 matches at the intimidating level from the 59 games he’s taken charge of, as the Whites worryingly looked like relegation fodder last time out in a 3-0 loss at Brighton and Hove Albion.

It’s not quite as bad as his Norwich City end days just yet, with Farke’s Canaries falling to an embarrassing 7-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea all the way back in 2021.

But, his dismal record in the division just doesn’t make for pretty reading, as he now attempts to guide Leeds up the table.

Farke’s PL record

Stat

Farke

Games

59

Wins

9

Draws

10

Losses

40

Goals scored

40

Goals conceded

118

Points accumulated

37

Sourced by Transfermarkt

He could have to think outside of the box, soon, if he feels he’s being let down consistently by his senior personnel, as a whole host of exciting U21 talents are coming through currently in West Yorkshire…

The biggest stars in Leeds' academy

Throughout his time in the Elland dug-out to date, Farke has often chucked young talents into the first team mix when he’s deemed them to be ready, having once kick-started Archie Gray’s ascent to stardom.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin misfiring as of late, he might well be tempted to look at another Gray and launch Harry Gray into the senior side, with the 17-year-old already up to 15 goals for the U18s and U21s, despite recent injury setbacks.

Moreover, Alfie Cresswell could soon fancy his own chances, having captained the U21s this season from defensive midfield, with the 18-year-old – who can also play in defence – also collecting three goals for his troubles.

But, it could be down the right wing where Farke is looking to bring in some youthful reinforcements, having had to rely on a hot-and-cold Brenden Aaronson in his spot on the pitch for most of the season so far.

That has resulted in the versatile American only collecting one meagre goal for his efforts, with Farke having to persist with the up-and-down 25-year-old, owing to both Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto being unfortunate with injuries.

Yet, there could be an in-house replacement now staring Farke in the face. Like Cresswell and Gray, he’s a hotly-tipped teenage sensation.

Leeds' surprise Aaronson replacement

All the young starlets over the years who have been generously handed a first-team opportunity at Leeds must dream that they can become the next homegrown ace to make it.

Only a select few do, unfortunately, but Connor Douglas will back himself that he can be a success story in the senior ranks down the line, having already been branded as a “joy to watch” by PureFootball Trent Gaffney for his previous heroics on the youth pitches in West Yorkshire.

Douglas at U18 and U23 level

Stat

Douglas

Games played

66

Minutes played

4,519

Goals scored

12

Assists

9

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Yet, despite receiving such glowing praise and collecting an impressive 12 goals and nine assists from 66 appearances in youth circles to date, the 20-year-old is still without a Leeds first-team chance.

That could soon change, however, particularly if Farke wants to look more left-field for an Aaronson replacement, with the adaptable number 52 collecting ten of his 21 goal contributions for the U21s from the right wing spot, an area of the pitch that isn’t best suited to the ex-Union Berlin man.

With Douglas’ senior contract also only in play until next summer, it does feel as if it’s make-or-break time for the young Englishman, if he wants to make an impression in the senior game.

Even lining up as a right-back and as a striker on occasion for the U21s, it’s clear that Douglas is a jack of all trades.

But, in the here and now, with a goal and an assist next to his name in the Premier League 2 this season when playing predominantly down the right flank, he could be a shock replacement for Aaronson.

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Suryakumar: Staying not out at the finish is 'one box I always wanted to tick'

He achieved this wish on his 35th birthday, helping India seal a dominant win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Sep-20251:13

Wahab: Kuldeep always one step ahead of batters

Three spinners, and just the one frontline quick. This has been India’s way at this Asia Cup, and their captain Suryakumar Yadav said the template had been set earlier this year during their run to the Champions Trophy title. That was an ODI tournament, but India played all their matches in the UAE, which is also hosting this Asia Cup.The spinners played a crucial role in India’s seven-wicket win over Pakistan on Sunday, with Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy sharing six wickets between them. In all, India’s spinners conceded just 65 runs in 13 overs, including one from part-timer Abhishek Sharma.Related

Suryakumar: Spinners come well prepared so things move 'on autopilot'

Kuldeep makes it worth the wait

Kuldeep, Axar and Abhishek lead India to thumping win

“That’s what happened a few months back – our team that won the Champions Trophy, they set the tone,” Suryakumar said at the post-match presentation. “But I am always a fan of spinners, because they control the game in the middle and post-powerplay [overs], and I think all the spinners were amazing.”India’s victory was particularly sweet for Suryakumar since it came on the day he turned 35. He celebrated his birthday by scoring an unbeaten 47 and hitting the winning six as India chased down their target of 128 with 25 balls to spare.”It’s a great feeling and it’s a perfect return gift for India,” Suryakumar said. “This is one box I always wanted to tick, stay there till the end, and it was the need of the hour today. And love to stay not out till the end.”The win left India with a 11-3 T20I head-to-head over their arch-rivals. Asked about this, Suryakumar said India don’t treat games against Pakistan any differently to other matches.”For me, and for my boys, and for the whole team, I feel it’s just another game,” he said. “We come on the ground, we prepare for all the oppositions, and that’s how we go about it.”Kuldeep Yadav sent Mohammad Nawaz back first ball•Associated PressKuldeep won his second Player-of-the-Match award in a row, returning figures of 3 for 18 to follow up on his four-wicket haul against UAE.”You just have to think who is batting on the crease and react to what they are doing, what their strength is and what they like to play,” Kuldeep said when asked about his plans. “Just follow that, and obviously I had my plans and just executed them.”As he did against UAE, Kuldeep struck with back-to-back deliveries against Pakistan. Having bagged two ODI hat-tricks in his career so far, Kuldeep said he wants his first ball to any batter to be a wicket-taking delivery.”First ball is always wicket-taking ball, you know, you just have to go with that mindset and try to execute that wicket-taking ball,” Kuldeep said. “Because whoever is batting is obviously new on the crease or maybe set, but yeah, he’s facing you the first time in the game and probably you have the chance to get on top of him.”Despite being in terrific form, and leading the tournament’s wicket charts, Kuldeep said he still had areas of improvement in his game.”I still think I need to really work on my bowling as well. Sometimes I feel that I try too many variations, but I have to learn day by day and game by game. I still think there’s a lot of room to improve in.”

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