Journalist Graham Smyth has hailed Leeds United midfielder Brenden Aaronson for his recent performance and made a comparison to Pablo Hernandez while doing so.
Leeds spent close to £25m to land the attacking midfielder in the summer and the American has settled in quickly in west Yorkshire.
He has started all eight Premier League games so far this season scoring one goal and setting up another with ESPN pundit Steve Nichol more than impressed by his work rate off the ball.
The 21-year-old strutted his stuff at Selhurst Park last weekend and despite losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace Smyth was still amazed by his role for Leeds’ opener.
Speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast, he said: “It’s an annoying goal because you want that shot from Aaronson to go in, because if that goes in, it’s a wondergoal.
“It doesn’t go in, it hits the post and Struijk puts in the rebound, which is great.
“It’s a goal, but it’s so much less satisfying than if Aaronson just sticks it straight in the bottom corner.
“But he beat four or maybe five, six, seven, 11 Palace players on his way to goal.
“Really lovely feet to get into the area, just days after I’d written in the Yorkshire Evening Post about the vacancy for a magic man because they used to rely so heavily on Pablo Hernandez to get them into the box and to create chances.
“We just haven’t seen anyone routinely doing it, but Aaronson really made that happen with his dribbling ability.”
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Despite the club being just three points above the relegation zone at present, they can take comfort in the fact that one of their summer signings has found his feet so quickly.
Only three outfield players have played more minutes than the 21-cap USA international and he is currently compatriot Jesse Marsch’s eighth-best performer (WhoScored).
With an average of 19.9 pressures and 1.78 tackles per 90 minutes, he is also among the highest-ranked members of the squad (FBref).
Only Luis Sinisterra and Jack Harrison have attempted more dribbles per game than the £27m-rated ace among teammates who have started a full game this season and while it would be hard for anyone to achieve the cult hero status that Pablo Hernandez gained, Aaronson certainly hasn’t made a bad start.