Leeds United boss Daniel Farke launches defence of attacker amid mental health and social media comments — YEP 23/11/25

By Graham Smyth

Daniel Farke has launched a strong defence of a Leeds United man.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has hit out at the level of criticism aimed at attacker Brenden Aaronson.

The American, by Farke's own admission, is a player who polarises opinion.

This season he has featured heavily on the right side of a front three at Leeds but has just one goal and one assist to his name.

His struggles for end product are mirrored elsewhere in a squad that has scored fewer goals than every other Premier League side barring rock bottom Wolves, but Aaronson's position in the starting line-up has been a talking point for weeks.

With Daniel James and Willy Gnonto both now fit, Farke was asked again why neither was picked to start against Aston Villa.

Speaking after a 2-1 defeat, the German said he was not tempted to start Gnonto on the left over Noah Okafor and then launched into a passionate defence of Aaronson.

"I have to say Brenden is a player who polarises and can be annoying even for me," he said.

"Sometimes he's not clear enough and can be a bit hectic. But I have to say what we're doing in criticising this young man, then we don't have to do all these mental health awareness days.

“If everyone is on his back and with all respect he represents so many skills that we want to stand for as Leeds United, works his socks off, gives everything, relentless and leaves his heart on the pitch, I think it's more than unfair at the moment.

"Last three performances he was always there covering 13k per game. Why we're looking so solid on our right side, with all respect to Jayden [Bogle], Brenden is so crucial to protect him.

“Hard work is always what we stand for as Leeds United. The same offensive wise. He was Man of the Match in the last home game, scored a decisive goal.

“Standing ovation in his last home game [before that]. If any other offensive player would have this work rate and this end product [goal and assist in three games prior to Villa] we wouldn't be having this debate."

Farke says Aaronson's team-mates are keenly aware of the criticism being aimed at the American and it doesn't sit well with them either.

"If we keep being on his back, one of our own, then we don't have to do all these mental health awareness days," he said.

"In the dressing room all our players are also aware of this and they don't like it. Everyone can do what they want to do and have their own opinion.

“What I would say is come on we're working together with human beings, let's keep in mind they are human beings and not treat him like a product. We have to judge him in a fair way. He has the best offensive statistic in the last game days. The comments I sometimes hear is not how to treat a human being."

Social media is playing a big part in Farke's concern.

"I'm just worried how we are as a society, with social media stuff, how we are as human beings," he said.

"I always go around to clap hands and show appreciation to supporters, I still saw many clapping and giving support and giving Brenden lots of support.

“We have social media, Instagram, Facebook and you just see the negative comments.

“If you see 5,000 negative comments about yourself as a 24, 25-year-old guy you think the whole world is on your shoulder.

“You don't see the other 495,000 supporters who are just a bit quiet and disappointed after a defeat. I could make my life easier and slam him but I protect human beings. I don't work with robots. I see what the lad is doing. He's a fantastic team-mate and works his sock off. Is it really how we want to treat human beings in society?

“Judge his performances a little bit fair at least. Be a bit respectful of a young lad. Otherwise we can put these mental health awareness days in the bin."