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Oliver Jones

Leeds United news as 'first-class' Brenden Aaronson hailed by ex-USMNT star after recent struggles

Here are your Leeds United evening headlines on Wednesday, March 29.

Ex-USMNT star hails 'first-class' Brenden Aaronson amid form bounce back

Former UMSNT star Charlie Davis has hailed Leeds United midfielder Brenden Aaronson after the 22-year-old's bounce-back in form in recent weeks following a tough start to life with the Whites.

Despite a goal and an assist in his first five games at Elland Road, the American has managed just one assist in the Premier League since August but his recent performances under Javi Gracia has shown an Aaronson not often seen by fans this season.

But Davis believes that Aaronson has handled himself incredibly well, highlighting how tough it can be mentally on a player at such a young age.

"The World Cup took a lot out of him because he was playing with this confidence early on at Leeds. And then you go to the tournament and you go from playing in the Prem where coaches are saluting your performances," he told the In Soccer We Trust podcast.

"You’re known as a guy who’s active and getting on the ball and causing problems, you’re scoring against Chelsea; to not playing in the World Cup. That can’t be anymore deflating as a young player.

"That takes a while to get out of that funk. But the way he’s handled it, first-class. Because the only thing you can do is just put your head down and keep working and hopefully get out of that situation. And it seems like, right now, he’s finally finding his feet again so that’s been good to see.

"I’ve got nothing but positive things to say about Brenden Aaronson as a player and a person."

Awkward Illan Meslier statistic revealed that Javi Gracia must change for Premier League survival

Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier has been revealed to rank in the bottom half of shot-stoppers for Premier League clubs outside of the 'Big Six'.

The Whites star has fuelled transfer rumours about him leaving Elland Road in recent days, claiming that he understands that he can't perform poorly if he wants other teams to 'come looking for him'.

However, while some might say that the star is one of the reasons Leeds have a decent chance at staying in the Premier League amid their current relegation battle, it would appear as though the Frenchman hasn't been as good in between the sticks as others this season.

Read the full story here.

Where would Leeds United be if Chris Sutton's Premier League predictions became reality?

If the Premier League table was based off Chris Sutton's predictions this season, Leeds United would sit in 14th - exactly where Javi Gracia's side currently find themselves.

Sutton has replaced Mark Lawrenson as the BBC's regular score predictor and every week the former Celtic man offers his thoughts for the weekend's upcoming matches. He will no doubt be trying his hand at predictions once again this weekend as Leeds return to Premier League action at the Emirates against Arsenal.

Supporters may well want to pay close attention to Sutton's predictions as his selections have somewhat reflected reality with the Whites finding themselves 14th in both his and the Premier League's table. His forecast however does have Gracia's side with 29 points - not their current 26 - and with a healthy 15 point gap to the relegation zone.

Read the full story here.

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