Paul Robinson predicts potential Leeds United formation change after Daniel James arrival
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson predicts Marcelo Bielsa could change his Leeds United formation in order to accommodate Daniel James.
On deadline day earlier this week, Leeds completed a club-record deal to sign the 23-year-old Wales attacker from Manchester United.
It leaves Bielsa with a potential selection headache as while James is versatile enough to play almost anywhere in the attack, Leeds’ wide players have been among their most impressive since winning promotion to the Premier League.
However, Robinson feels that Raphinha could be moved inside to play behind Patrick Bamford with Jack Harrison staying out on the left and James starting on the right wing.
“He’ll be competition for Jack Harrison because he likes to play on the left, as well as on the inside,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“Raphinha can come inside but his defensive capabilities and his tenaciousness in midfield are maybe not there.
“If Raphinha does move inside then the formation may have to change. It could be a 4-2-3-1 with three attacking players in behind Bamford – Raphinha, Harrison and James.
“That formation would probably suit getting all the right players in the right positions on the field at the same time but if they keep the same formation, I can’t see how all three of them fit.”
Last season, stats by transfermarkt show that James played an almost even number of games on the right-wing and the left-wing.
He can also play as a forward or in support of a striker.
Raphinha is similar so their versatility could be something that Bielsa opts to play with while we would not rule out the manager sticking the same formation and dropping Harrison.
Either way, we don’t expect to see James start any time soon.
It usually takes a while for Bielsa to get his players to bed in and get used to the system and his fitness demands before they get starts.
While James is someone who Bielsa has wanted for a long time, we don’t expect him to get any special treatment from the boss, especially as he’s a fan of consistency and isn’t easily influenced when it comes to changing his tactics and starting line-up.
In other Leeds United news, Trevor Sinclair expects this player to quit Elland Road next year.