Rob Page delivers Marcelo Bielsa verdict after Leeds signed Dan James
Wales head coach Rob Page believes Marcelo Bielsa can get the best out of Daniel James at Leeds United.
The 23-year-old completed a move to Elland Road on transfer deadline day after Manchester United finalised the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo.
James was a Leeds target and nearly joined the club two and a half years ago, and Bielsa finally got the player he has been keeping an eye on for a while.
Discussing James’ move to Leeds and the influence of Bielsa, Page said, via the Yorkshire Evening Post, “It’s a great club, he’s going to a great club with a well-respected manager, who in my opinion will get the best out of him
“He [Bielsa] gets his players fit. They have to be fit to play the way he wants them to play.”
Nailed it
Bielsa loves high energy hard-working players which is why it’s not hard to understand why he’s been keeping an eye on James for at least two years.
The Wales international is the typical Bielsa player and we’re confident that he’s going to be a success at Elland Road.
Not only will the Argentine help improve his game, but he will also ensure that he works on physical fitness which would see Page, or whoever takes over the Wales job permanently, benefit a great deal from it.
There are no gimmes in a Bielsa side so we don’t expect him to hand James a starting role from day one.
Jack Harrison and Raphinha are the undisputed first choices, but are not likely to play every minute of every league game which gives James the opportunity to step in and show why Bielsa has vested so much faith in him.
We’re excited to see him make his Leeds United debut against Liverpool next Sunday.
In other Leeds United news, MOT View: Leeds player could be headed for int’l drop after recent Telegraph report