Daniel James departed Leeds United this summer, only 12 months on from signing permanently for the club from Manchester United. He made the switch to fellow Premier League side Fulham on a loan deal until the end of the season.
James was a somewhat divisive figure during his time at Elland Road. The 25-year-old has been moved on by the Whites due to Wilfried Gnonto’s arrival from FC Zurich, and in the hope of more regular game time elsewhere in the top flight.
Despite naturally being a winger, he was often used as a makeshift striker last season due to Leeds’ lack of fit and available options in the centre-forward position. He played a total of 40 games for Jesse Marsch‘s side, scoring four and assisting a further five times in the process.
How exactly has life started for the Welsh international in West London? We take a look here…
Quiz: Are these 15 statements about Leeds United’s Daniel James true or false?
How’s it going?
So far James has started two games in the league for the Cottagers, and been substituted on a further six times.
He has scored one goal, against former club Manchester United, in what was the final game before the mid-season break for the World Cup.
He had played five times for Leeds before making the switch to London, and failed to register a single contribution to a goal in those games. His tally for the season sits at just the one recent goal.
Is he doing well under Marco Silva? What are the positives?
Given the game time, it is hard to say that he is. However, there are some positives for the Welshman.
He will be grateful that so far, despite most of his appearances being from the bench, he has been able to play in his natural wide position since joining, something he has been afforded infrequently since leaving Manchester.
Over the course of the last year James was seen consistently shifting around the attacking line for both club and country. Often in a less than natural striker position.
The other positive for James is that he made Wales’ World Cup squad, despite his lack of matches at club level for both Leeds and Marco Silva‘s side. He played a part in every game for his country in Qatar. A proud moment for him, even though they were eliminated from the group stage.
Were Leeds right to let James go?
Yes
No
