Leeds United ace Daniel James in ‘most effective’ winger verdict amid ‘wastefulness’ claim
Daniel James has the potential to become the “most effective” winger at Leeds United, according to Joe Donnohue of the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The 25-year-old who spent last season on loan at Fulham, has made seven appearances for the Whites in all competitions this season.
From those seven matches, the winger boasts four assists, with two coming in the 3-0 win against Watford on Saturday (23 September).
“James’ revival under Daniel Farke has the potential to redefine his spell at Leeds, which to this point had been one characterised by missed opportunities and a perceived wastefulness in the final third.” Donnohue wrote for the Yorkshire Evening Post (26 September), calling the winger a “doubted figure.”
“James has created four goals from 13 chances during 2023/24, second only to Rutter amongst his Leeds teammates, with the Frenchman having also played a greater proportion of minutes.
“Should he continue in the same vein over an extended period, the argument can be made that United’s most effective wideman is not the up-and-coming Dutchman Crysencio Summerville, Italy international Gnonto or Bournemouth loanee Jaidon Anthony, but the Welsh speedster instead.”
On the rise
Like many of the current Leeds players, it seems that James may have just needed the drop in level to really find himself on the pitch.
After a difficult few seasons in the Premier League, the Welsh international is now looking like his former self, the one who burst onto the scene with Swansea City.
He is slowly but surely finding his feet again at Elland Road, and is undoubtedly building up his confidence levels under the watchful eye of manager Farke.
Also working slowly but surely is the man in the dugout, who now looks to have built a team capable of picking up positive results in the Championship.
There is, of course, a long way to go in terms of the campaign and indeed in terms of improving the squad, but the signs are there that Leeds are on the right track to gaining promotion back to the top flight.
In other Leeds United news, Joel Piroe has sent a three-word message to one of his Whites teammates after their 3-0 win against Watford.