Brenden Aaronson and Joel Piroe are very different players. So who do Leeds pick at No 10? — The Athletic 12/9/24
By Nancy Froston
Brenden Aaronson and Joel Piroe are not the same type of
footballer.
The two players themselves know this. So does Daniel Farke,
their Leeds United manager. Farke has been asked about it regularly in recent
weeks as his Championship team look for the most effective way to cope with
last month’s £40million ($52.2m) sale of Georginio Rutter to Brighton &
Hove Albion.
Leeds did not sign an outright No 10 to replace Rutter and
it looks like Aaronson and Piroe are the candidates for that role, at least
until the window reopens in January. Aaronson, Piroe and others have taken
turns in the position since Rutter’s exit.
Aaronson looks to be a more natural fit there, although he
has also been used out wide. When Piroe plays as a No 10, he interprets the
role as a deep-lying second striker but he has also been used up front as a
classic No 9. With the window now closed and, in Farke’s words, no “traditional
Diego Maradona No 10” in the squad, can Leeds get the best out of Aaronson or
Piroe there?
Piroe’s own analysis of the competition with United States
international Aaronson is a fair summary.
“I’m more physical, more of a ‘nine-and-a-half’, whereas he
is maybe a ’10-and-a-half’, a winger and more mobile,” Piroe said after coming
off the bench and scoring in the 2-0 win against Hull City in Leeds’ most
recent game on August 31. “Our places are completely different but we both
bring assists and goals, and that’s the most important part.”
The differences between the two players are clear to anyone
who has watched them. The eye test suggests one thing — and Piroe’s greater
involvement in goal actions, compared to Aaronson’s contributions as a player
who progresses the ball into dangerous areas, is backed up by the data.
Both players can score, as reflected in their early-season
records of a goal and an assist for the Dutchman and two goals for the
American. But Piroe’s record last season, 13 goals and three assists for
Farke’s side in 42 regular-season games, was superior. Aaronson spent the
2023-24 campaign on loan at Union Berlin in the Bundesliga following Leeds’
relegation and had more limited game time (30 league appearances; two goals,
two assists) and was used in a wider range of positions.
It is important to consider that fact, plus any differences between the respective quality of the German top flight and the Championship, as we make our comparisons based on last season’s numbers.
Looking at last season’s data using fbref.com, Piroe
performed well in terms of the number of goals he scored (13) when compared to
his expected goals (xG) tally of 11.7. Both figures are significantly higher
than Aaronson’s two goals scored from a 2.0 xG. When adjusted per 90 minutes to
make a fairer comparison between the two players, Piroe still comes out on top
with an xG of 0.42 per 90 minutes to Aaronson’s 0.14.
Piroe’s greater threat in front of goal should not be a huge
surprise, given his 19-goal 2022-23 Championship season for Swansea City before
signing for Leeds last summer — the 25-year-old is used to playing as a
striker. His coolness in front of goal is a strength and something that Farke,
who played up front during his days in the German lower divisions, refers to
often when detailing the qualities he likes about him. As the ball came to
Piroe for his goal last month against Hull, he showed a calmness and confidence
of finish few other Leeds players possess.
“Joel Piroe plays more or less as a loose striker as a No
10,” Farke said. “He interprets it differently to a classic No 10 who is quick
and mobile and sets up for the other offensive players. Joel is more like a
loose striker who finishes from this position.”
As a further illustration of Piroe’s potency as a goal
threat, his shots on target per 90 rate of 2.68 last season, compared with
Aaronson’s 1.28, reflects a player with more traits of a No 9. Aaronson played
most of his minutes for Union in a central midfield role (see above). Operating
as a withheld striker can benefit Piroe in arriving later into the opposition
box to meet crosses as well as overload a back line through the centre.
Aaronson, meanwhile, resembles a more typical No 10 (and
therefore is more similar to some of the output of the player they have lost in
Rutter) in his ability to carry the ball and progress play.
The 23-year-old’s 2.62 ‘progressive carries’, which are
defined as dribbles of 10 yards or more ending in the attacking half of the
pitch, per 90 minutes for Union reflect a player more willing to collect and
drive with the ball than Piroe is (1.57 progressive carries per 90 for Leeds
last season). Leeds and Union using Aaronson as a wide player is reflected in
the types of passes he plays, with his 1.56 crosses per 90 last season
significantly higher than Piroe’s 0.11.
Aaronson is generally a busier presence and is a provider
for the attacking players around him.
His performances last season see him outrank Piroe on
through balls played per 90, 0.35 to 0.26. He also got on the ball more often,
taking a greater number of touches when the ball is live (47.9 per 90 to
Piroe’s 37.9) and having more touches in the attacking third (20.8 per 90 to
the Dutchman’s 16.3).
It is not a surprise that as Aaronson’s game minutes have
increased this season Piroe’s have decreased, although the pair have dovetailed
nicely on the pitch together. Piroe assisted Aaronson’s equaliser in the 3-3
draw against Portsmouth on the opening weekend of this season and they have
combined well in other performances.
Farke is unlikely to make drastic changes, such as switching
to a ‘box’ midfield to allow both these players to act as attacking midfielders
behind a striker, given his preference for the current 4-2-3-1 formation. It’s
possible he will use different players for different situations as opponents
try to limit Leeds’ attacking threats — teams arriving at Elland Road and
setting up to stop them playing was a common theme last season, although more
often than not Farke’s side found a way through.
Farke can see things in his players — such as the decision
to make Rutter a No 10 in the first place — most others will not.
There is no reason to think he will not be able to get the
best from two talented players operating in what is a vital attacking role.
Aaronson and Piroe have stylistic differences but a shared goal of helping
Leeds get back into the Premier League.