(Credit: Imago)

Jacob Raw

Sun 29 March 2026 7:40, UK

Daniel Farke must see the opportunity he has at Leeds United when Dan James returns from international duty.

James was one of several Leeds stars to suffer a painful World Cup fate following Wales’ penalty shootout loss to Bosnia on Thursday.

However, his goal showed Farke what he’s been missing out on by not starting him, with a return to club football the perfect chance for the German head coach to start trusting the winger again.

The Whites return to action next weekend in an FA Cup clash against West Ham, where Farke could reap the rewards by starting James.

James has had a stop-start season for Leeds, and if anything was going to help him get over the heartbreak of not reaching the World Cup, it would be from getting a big role for the last seven Premier League games of the season.

Here’s why Daniel Farke has missed starting Dan James

There were question marks over where James would start when Farke switched to his 3-5-2 formation, which doesn’t have a need for wingers.

However, when he has been fit, the Welshman has been allowed to play in pockets behind the striker, just not all the time.

James has had obvious injury problems that have prevented him from really getting going this season, but following his stunner against Bosnia, he should be ready for a starting spot.

Looking at Leeds’ current performances in attack, consecutive 0-0 games against low-end Premier League teams suggest there is a problem with creating chances in the final third.

Not many in the Whites’ squad can ease their concerns more than James, as his lightning-quick pace and improved decision-making skills could set Leeds apart from their relegation rivals in the last seven games.

This is who should make way for James

James hasn’t been the only Leeds star to have suffered with injuries this season, with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha also missing some games.

The strike duo have recently rekindled their partnership, but to no effective avail in games against Crystal Palace and Brentford, as seen in the Sofascore graphic below.

Calvert-Lewin is undroppable, but Nmecha is questionable, so it leaves the latter as the most glaringly obvious swap to get James back in the side.

That would most likely mean a formation tweak to a 3-4-3, something Farke has used to play wide men in, as he could then decide to play either Brenden Aaronson or Noah Okafor on the left flank.

Farke could bring out the best in James at the best possible time; he just needs to put his arm around him.