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‘I enjoy it now’: Dan James says something Bielsa does in Leeds training has taken him by surprise
Anyone who has followed Leeds United’s journey under Marcelo Bielsa will have heard all about the intensity and hard work required in training sessions at Thorp Arch. And it seems Daniel James has found out about it now as well.
James, a £25m () signing for Leeds in the summer, has been in impressive form of late as he plays up top while Patrick Bamford recovers from injury. It’s a role he’s adapted well to and the goals in recent weeks back up Bielsa’s decision to put him there.
However, after arriving from being on the periphery of the Manchester United XI and wanting to make an impression at Leeds, James has admitted that he’s had to adapt to Bielsa’ s training methods. Not least, the infamous ‘murderball’ sessions.
“No. Murderball’s tough. There’s a lot of fouls. Basically both teams play how we play on the weekend. It’s 90 minutes crammed into 25, 30 minutes. It took me a little bit of getting used to. I enjoy it now.” James told
Leeds take on James’ old club this weekend in a huge clash at Elland Road. They then face Liverpool away in midweek in what is set to be a testing few days for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
TBR’s View: James Reaping The Rewards Of Bielsa And Leeds
Players who play at such a high pace like James can often need to train in the same way and it seems that’s what’s happening with James at Leeds.
And his performances of late on the field suggest those methods are more than paying off. Everyone who’s signed for Leeds since Bielsa took over has spoken of the hard work required in training. In fairness to Bielsa, it has worked.
James would love nothing more than to score this weekend you feel. And he’s in prime condition and form to do so.