Daniel James could finally show Leeds United fans why they splash big money with Championship stay
Up until the most recent January transfer window, Daniel James was the most expensive player in Leeds United’s entire history.
The Wales winger was signed from Manchester United in the summer of 2021 in a £25m deal, two years after a deal to bring him to Elland Road from Swansea City failed despite everything being agreed.
He was the man that Marcelo Bielsa wanted, and he waited until he got him, but it never quite worked out for James.
He was often played up front under Bielsa because of Patrick Bamford’s raging injury issues and that meant he struggled to get any sort of form going and then Bielsa was sacked.
He returned to the wing once Jesse Marsch came in but once the summer window came around, it was clear that James wasn’t part of the plans anymore.
Marsch and Leeds waited it out until the very last day of the window, when they decided to make their moves for Cody Gakpo, Bamba Dieng and eventually Wilfried Gnonto.
But once those deals were done one way or another, James was allowed to leave on loan to Fulham to make room in the squad and allow him to play regularly elsewhere.
However, that hasn’t really happened either. Marco Silva has often relied on other members of his squad to play out wide and James has made just five starts in the Premier League for the London club.
A return to Elland Road at the end of the loan looks almost certain now, but if Leeds are no longer a Premier League side upon his return then it’s likely that James could stick around and get another opportunity.
The likelihood is that several players will leave, with the likes of Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville, Jack Harrison, Brenden Aaronson and Rodrigo all going to attract the attention of other clubs.
But considering how James’ career in the top flight has gone so far at Old Trafford, Elland Road and now Craven Cottage it would be crazy if anyone took a punt on him again.
More likely is that whoever the manager is gets told to put him in the squad as the most expensive member of it and find a way to get the level of performance out of him that convinced Bielsa to splash £25m on him.
Simply put, not everyone can leave and the ones that stay need to put a shift in. James will do that.
Hopefully though this whole article can get chucked away in a couple of weeks after back-to-back Sam Allardyce wins, meaning our Premier League status is secured and James can leave so we can forget this whole thing ever happened.
In other Leeds news, Big Sam may have found a wildcard option for the run-in after what he saw in the last 24 hours.