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Dan James’ £25m Leeds fee more than justified if he can emulate Belarus display
On Sunday Wales overcame Belarus 3-2, coming back from 2-1 down at half-time.
All of the headlines from the game will be attributed to Gareth Bale, who scored scored a hat-trick to sink the Belarusians.
However, new Leeds United signing Daniel James was exquisite on the day, showing exactly what he can do when he’s at his best.
The 23-year-old winger shone whilst playing off the left for Rob Page’s Wales, proving his creative capabilities in support of Bale.
Not only did the ex-Manchester United man provide an assist on the day, but he also chimed in with three key passes and four successful dribbles ().
Having signed for Manchester United for a fee of £15m two years ago (), seeing him sold for an inflated fee of £25m this summer () would have surprised many.
In his time in Manchester he could only managed nine goals and nine assists in 74 appearances, hardly the numbers of a £25m winger.
Yet it seems than James could still prove to be a massive bargain at Elland Road.
His raw pace is well-documented, and if he can consistently perform like he did in Wales’ UEFA World Cup Qualifying win over Belarus then Marcelo Bielsa will have a serious player on his hands.
The counter-attacking capabilities at Leeds look phenomenal.
In James, Raphinha and Jack Harrison the Whites have strong wide options that, when paired with Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford through the middle, could see them have a crack at the European places this season.
When the international break comes to an end, Leeds return to action against Liverpool.
That clash could be James’ first appearance for the club, and coming against one of his former club’s greatest rivals, he will be desperate to impress.