UK newspaper slams ‘curious’ Dan James worry despite Wales goal for Leeds star
Daniel James has been continuing his strong Leeds United form on the international stage with Wales.
Leeds’ number seven has firmly established himself as one of the first names on Daniel Farke’s team sheet this term, starting 27 times and appearing in 32 of United’s 38 Championship matches so far.
James has already broken the 10-goal barrier and also has nine assists to his name this term, with the 27-year-old on course to achieve double figures-worth of goals and assists for the first time in his career.
Wales also see James as a crucial cog in their side as their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign began this month, and the Elland Road wideman is already off to a flying start on international duty.
Dan James keeps up the intensity away from Leeds United
James needed just nine minutes of game-time to add further to his goal tally, albeit this time it came in Wales red rather than Leeds United white as he scored the opener in a 3-1 win over Kazakhstan.
Wales, with James’ Leeds team-mates Joe Rodon and Karl Darlow also starting at the back, got their qualifiers up and running with three points, and the national media responded to James’ display.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
| Dan James | 33 | 27 | 10 | 9 | 4 |
In their player ratings (22 March), WalesOnline gave the winger an 8/10 – level with man-of-the-match Sorba Thomas – saying James was “at the heart of his side’s best moves” in a strong outing.
Y Clwb Pel-Droed also gave the 27-year-old an 8/10 rating, saying that James’ speed is “a real weapon for Wales going forward”, and that he had a “real intensity to his press” despite a mixed final ball.
A lack of cutting-edge – even though James scored early on – was also highlighted by the Daily Mail, who said that he and Brennan Johnson had “a curious lack of inventiveness” against the Kazakh defence.
James justifies Leeds United starting place for Wales
Though James’ tally of 13 goals last season was the best of his career, his output was overshadowed by Crysencio Summerville’s, who netted 20 and added nine assists to win Championship Player of the Year.
James also lost his place in the starting XI to Willy Gnonto last last term, but this season, he’s remained Farke’s go-to man on the right despite Gnonto and Largie Ramazani both being more than able deputies.
Farke’s faith in James has been justified heading into the final eight matches, and despite having failed to score in his last six league games, that early Wales goal will have done his confidence the world of good.