He’s constantly had his doubters over recent seasons, but the 49ers have backed the German and handed the funds to make the difference in England’s top-flight.

Over £180m has been spent over the last two years to try and make the Whites a top-half outfit, with the early signs in 2026/27 starting to look extremely positive.

However, his decision to exclude one player from his senior ranks appears to be the best decision he’s made during his time in charge in Yorkshire.

Why Harrison has been Leeds' biggest waste in recent years

Five years ago, it looked as though Leeds had pulled off a remarkable coup by securing the permanent deal to sign winger Jack Harrison amid his form in the Premier League.

The Englishman ended the first season back in the top-flight with 16 combined goals and assists, subsequently allowing Marcelo Bielsa’s men to end the campaign in the top half.

However, the decision to land the attacker on a permanent basis would lead to issues in the long-term, with the 29-year-old ultimately unable to return to such heights.

The £15m deal to sign him saw him instantly become one of the Whites’ highest earners, but he only scored 13 times across the next 74 outings in England’s top flight.

After relegation, he jumped ship and spent two years at Everton before returning to the senior fold for the 2025/26 campaign after the club secured promotion.

Such a decision was a baffling one, and Harrison was unable to capitalise on the call from Farke and failed to net a single goal or assist in his 11 appearances last campaign.

After a failed loan move to Fiorentina, Leeds decided to sanction the sale of the Englishman, which saw him move back to the MLS and join New England Revolution this summer.

Why one Leeds player is becoming the biggest waste since Harrison

During his time at Elland Road, Harrison undoubtedly cost the club a small fortune, with the winger bagging himself over £13m in wages over a five-year period.

He’s just one example of the poor dealings in Yorkshire over recent years, which undoubtedly played a part in the club’s relegation in the 2022/23 campaign.

The club’s recruitment has improved tenfold over the last couple of years, which has no doubt handed Farke the platform for the recent impressive form in England’s top-flight.

However, if the club are to maintain the current heights at Elland Road, it’s crucial that the hierarchy make a decision to move Brenden Aaronson on from Elland Road.

The American international joined the club for around £25m from RB Salzburg during the summer of 2022, with expectations he can take the club’s attack to the next level.

However, it’s safe to say that the move for the 25-year-old has failed to hit the heights many expected, with the midfielder often dividing the fanbase with his performances.

He’s racked up 137 appearances for the Whites over the last four years, even spending a year out on loan after the club suffered relegation back to the second tier.

Aaronson has only netted 15 goals during such a period, whilst laying on just 10 assists, subsequently registering a goal contribution every five and a half games he’s featured in.

Such a record simply isn’t good enough given the sheer amount of money spent on his signature, but his current earnings has seen the club spend a small fortune.

During his four years in Yorkshire, the American has earned £13m in wages alone, which has seen the club spend a total of £38m on the attacking midfielder.

When breaking down the cost of his transfer, Aaronson has cost around £278k per appearance, whilst also costing over £1.5m per goal contribution he’s registered.

He’s failed to register any of his efforts during the 2026/27 campaign, which saw him drop down to the substitutes bench for Monday’s hammering of Newcastle United.

However, it should only be the first step in his exclusion at Elland Road, with Farke needing to axe him from his senior ranks at the next available opportunity.

Aaronson has showcased that he’s followed Harrison’s path in being able to provide value for money, with his deal subsequently costing the Whites a small fortune.