Daniel James vital to Daniel Farke after Leeds United frustrations v Bristol City
Leeds United and Daniel Farke will often lean on Daniel James this season after what he showed against Bristol City on Saturday (26 October).
James made his first start since August at Ashton Gate following several weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and was United’s most dangerous player despite Farke’s side being held to a 0-0 draw.
With Farke looking to manage the Welshman’s minutes upon his return from injury, James was hooked after 71 minutes, but his performance up until that point made the German’s decision a strange one.
James, 26, registered 21 goal contributions in the Whites’ ultimately unsuccessful promotion push last season, and if he’s let off the leash by Farke, could rack up similar numbers this time around.
Daniel James has to be a first-choice pick for Leeds United
Farke has arguably the Championship’s fastest player at his disposal, and although Bristol City were rarely stretched in a chance-sparse goalless draw, James had them on the ropes at times.
The winger’s darting runs in behind were increasingly dangerous, but given he was often isolated on the right flank in a stunted display from his teammates, James only won 40 per cent of his ground duels.
In the final third though, James excelled, registering 0.33xG from his only attempt on goal and mounting a combined 0.50 expected goals and assists [FotMob], having also created a golden chance for Wilfried Gnonto.
Gnonto’s effort – cleared off the line by Zak Vyner – was the best of the game and James was its architect, having four touches in the box and completing four final-third passes in his 71 minutes.
That’s one hell of an output despite the wide man being restricted to just 24 touches out wide, and his searing pace gave no indication that James is still being troubled by that hamstring issue.
Defensively too James helped out at will, putting in three defensive actions in total and coming away with a 100 per cent tackle success rate [FotMob], on top of four ball recoveries to cut out rare attacks.
If there was a display to rubber-stamp your place in the team, this was it, and with Largie Ramazani out following his injury against Watford, James’ spot out wide is now surely his to lose.
In other Leeds news, Stuart Dallas has revealed what the squad’s mood was at Elland Road in the days before his retirement.
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