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.
(Top photo: Getty Images)
