Leeds United: Daniel Farke must hold talks with Dan James after what happened on Tuesday
Dan James has experienced one of his best footballing seasons to date, playing a vital role at Elland Road as Leeds United continue to push for Premier League promotion.
The winger has notched 12 goals and seven assists in the Championship, bettering his best league-scoring record of four goals during the 2021/22 Premier League season.
Despite this, the 26-year-old has fallen out of favour under Daniel Farke recently, with Wilfried Gnonto taking the right-wing spot in Leeds’ starting XI in recent weeks.
Dan James must reassure Daniel Farke that he is in the right headspace
Away with Wales during the international break, James is set to return to Yorkshire absolutely heartbroken after his national team were pipped to Euro 2024 qualification by Poland on Tuesday 26 March.
Having played out a 0-0 draw at Cardiff City Stadium, the two sides had to be split by penalties, with the Leeds man missing the all-important fifth penalty, triggering pandemonium in the away end.
Farke admitted he has not spoken with his winger yet ahead of his return to Thorp Arch, but that is something that needs to happen ahead of another crucial period.
Although he netted against Finland on Thursday 21 March, helping set up the playoff final against Robert Lewandowski’s Poland, James will return from the international break at an all-time low.
Wales manager, Rob Page, lauded the 26-year-old for his Leeds form, stating that James had “bags of confidence” after the Finland match. However, Farke will need to build that confidence again after the devastating international result.
Wales international can still play key role in Premier League promotion
Considering Leeds’ current situation in the Championship, occupying the top spot above Leicester City and Ipswich Town, Farke must ensure that James remains focused.
With just eight matches of the league season remaining, the manager will need each of his players to treat every game as a cup final, especially considering the quality of teams below them.
Gnonto will be unlikely to be dropped from the starting XI, which will only make matters worse for the Welshman, but James’ attacking prowess could still prove vital in the end-of-season run-in.
In other Leeds United news, the club have now made moves to secure their first permanent transfer of the summer.
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