Credit: Imago

Zak Anderton

Thu 27 February 2025 16:10, UK

Dean Saunders has given his verdict on Dan James after the form he’s been in for Leeds United this season.

James has been one of Daniel Farke’s standout players this term with the former Manchester United ace often being the first name on the German’s teamsheet.

The Welshman has already contributed 18 goals across all competitions this term despite only playing 29 games for Leeds thus far.

Saunders was sharing his plaudits for the way the attacker has performed this term and gave his stance on whether he thinks he’d have what it takes to make it with a top-four Premier League team.

Saunders believes James could make it with a top-four Premier League team

Of all the players in the second tier this season, if you asked any Championship fan they’d likely say that James has been the standout performer across the league.

His sheer pace both on and off the ball alongside his keen eye for goal are just two of the things that have made the Welshman Leeds’ star this term.

Speaking live on talkSPORT (27 February, 09:45am), Saunders gave his verdict on his fellow countryman while also making a rather massive error regarding the fee that Leeds paid for him as they only paid around £25million for his services.

“There’s a big gap opening up and you’ve got to remember most of the best players in the world have come to the Premier League so the players who were playing in the Premier League have been pushed down and they’re now in the Championship,” he said.

“You’ve got Dan James who cost £45million, he’s ripping the Championship up, is he good enough to play for a top-four team?

“He does well for Wales and at the minute he’s playing out of his skin, I think he can come back but there are not many other players in the Championship, even in the top three, that would get in the top 10 Premier League teams.”

Farke needs to keep James at Elland Road

If Leeds want any chance of surviving in the Premier League next term, should they get promoted, James has to be one of the many players that must stay at Elland Road.

James, alongside others such as Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon, have been among the most essential players within the West Yorkshire outfit’s team this season.

And, if they want to break the trend and survive in the top flight beyond the season they’re promoted, Farke needs to keep hold of his best players.

Indeed, there are plenty of areas within Leeds’ squad that could do with strengthening such as goalkeeper and striker but on either flank, they seem fairly stacked.

Especially if the Whites can manage to make Manor Solomon’s Elland Road stay permanent in the summer transfer window.

Only time will tell what the future holds for Leeds but if they can keep their best players in their squad, they could have a good chance of staying in the Premier League for more than one season.