Gabby Agbonlahor criticises Dan James and Marcelo Bielsa, backs Raphinha to seek Leeds exit
Gabby Agbonlahor suggests Raphinha will look to leave Leeds United next summer while he has also criticised the start made by Dan James at Elland Road.
Speaking on talkSPORT [27/10/21] after Arsenal beat the Whites 2-0 in the League Cup on Tuesday, the ex-England forward also took aim at Marcelo Bielsa.
“I’ve said it a million times, they go man for man and kamikaze defending against the top teams,” Agbonlahor said. “They did it against West Ham when Michail Antonio scored a late winner. [In] some games, change your tactics.
“But he won’t, even though they’ve got injuries now, they had injuries with Kalvin Phillips, [Patrick] Bamford, Raphinha. But still, he’ll play the same football and they’re losing games.
“Bamford hasn’t done it this season, Dan James has gone there and hasn’t done anything, Harrison hasn’t had the season like he did last season.
“He’s [Raphinha] just broken into the Brazil squad. He’s going to look at moving away from Leeds in the summer, he’s going to want to play Champions League football.”
End product lacking
James has made eight appearances for Leeds in all competitions but he has yet to register a goal or assist.
However, looking at his stats for Manchester United, was anyone expecting him to hit the ground running with goals with the Whites?
Last season, he scored three goals and registered one assist in 15 Premier League outings for Manchester United.
There is hope that Bielsa can bring the best out of James, but the early signs are that the Wales international is continuing from where he left off at the Red Devils with a lot of endeavour and pace, but very little in terms of his final ball.
For someone who cost £25million, James needs to be producing a lot more.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are in pursuit of this ex-Premier League midfielder with 14 goal contributions so far this campaign.