Dan James has reflected on the intense competition for a starting spot at Leeds United and identified the club’s next emerging talent. The Welsh winger has bounced back strongly after a six-week layoff due to a hamstring injury sustained during August’s 2-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday. Since his return, James has been involved in four goals across his last two appearances, showing signs of his sharp form.
Although he was left out of the starting lineup for Leeds’ 2-0 win over QPR just before the international break, James returned to the starting XI for the club’s trip to Swansea City. In that match, he not only recorded two assists but also delivered the ball that forced an own goal. However, despite his contributions, James was again relegated to the bench for the 2-1 victory over Luton Town on Wednesday, as Manor Solomon and Willy Gnonto started on the wings. James, though, made an instant impact after coming on in the 69th minute, scoring a brilliant lob to take his goal tally for the season to three.
Leeds’ attacking options are growing stronger, with Largie Ramazani back fit and available for selection, further increasing the competition for places. James has acknowledged the challenge facing head coach Daniel Farke in keeping everyone satisfied but praised the manager’s ability to rotate the squad effectively. He also emphasized the need for Leeds to tighten up defensively to continue their upward trajectory.
In an interview with BBC Radio Leeds, James spoke about his recovery and his mindset after being dropped to the bench. “I’m feeling really good,” he said. “The manager has kept me in the loop, and while I always want to play, I understand the decisions he makes. The squad we have is strong, and rotation is important for keeping everyone fresh and competitive. It’s been great to see Largie back; he’s another player who brings a lot to the team. The manager is doing a good job managing the squad and making sure everyone stays engaged.”
When discussing how Leeds could further improve, James stressed the importance of solidifying their defensive record. “Clean sheets are key for us. We know we have the quality to create chances, but to really take our game to the next level, we need to build on our defensive consistency,” he explained.
