Leeds United can unlock true Dan James potential in new role
Welsh international Dan James played the vast majority of games for Leeds United last season as one of the few players to stay fit.
But the 24-year-old could now have to adapt to a different role within the club after only scoring four goals in 32 Premier League appearances last season.
James missed the opening game of the season through suspension and captained the Under-21s side in a 5-2 win but could be back in the mix at Elland Road very soon.
Jesse Marsch has hinted that his return is likely to see him come off the bench to begin with but that may even be his best role given his special set of attributes.
“Dan played 90 minutes in the 21s game against Derby and I thought he thought he played well,” Marsch said, as quoted by Leeds Live. “So he’s fit, he’s strong, he’s ready to go.
“I think it’ll be a big option for us to have him come from the bench. I think that’s the role that we’ll use them in for this weekend and then Dan will continue to integrate and we’ll find moments for him to be also on the pitch from the start because he’s a really important player for us.”
James won’t enjoy being a substitute but he does possess extreme speed that very few players can keep up with when fresh at the start of a game let alone after 60-70 minutes of high-tempo football.
The relentless pressing Marsch demands of his team is likely to tire out the opposition as much as his own troops so by the time James is coming on with 20-30 minutes to go, there will be some very tired legs at full-back.
The last thing the opposition will want to see is someone as quick as the Welshman running at them that late in a game and Marsch must have recognised that to give him a new role.
In other Leeds United news, the door to sign this Portuguese midfielder has been blown wide open as Liverpool have now withdrawn from the race.