Football writer Phil Hay has claimed that the form of Raphinha and the arrival of Dan James has put a lot of ‘pressure’ on Jack Harrison to perform for Leeds United.
In the summer, Harrison made the switch from Manchester City to Leeds a permanent one, having spent the last three seasons out on loan with the Peacocks.
Later on in the same transfer market, another winger swapped Manchester for Yorkshire. This time, it was James who arrived in Leeds from Manchester United.
Would you drop Jack Harrison for Dan James?
Yes
No
While talking about the two players on The Phil Hay Show, Hay claimed that Raphinha’s form means that there’s only one position left for the two new wingers to play for.
He explained why this could make things difficult for Harrison, saying: “The pressure’s on there, and it’s on there particularly because Raphinha just picks himself at the moment.
“There would never be a question, if Raphinha’s fit and in this form, about whether or not he starts on the right. So it does then become a toss-up between Harrison and Dan James: one £11m signing, one £25m signing – but both players who Bielsa rates very, very highly.
“I think, as an established team, Bielsa would probably have it in his head that Harrison plays there, but it does feel like straight away – and this is what you want to see from signings – it does feel like straight away, Dan James just started chipping away, there.”
TIF Thoughts on Jack Harrison, Dan James, and Leeds United…
Last season, Harrison was a mainstay in the Leeds team. He played in all but two Premier League matches while scoring eight times along the way.
However, he is yet to score this term, and was even dropped to the bench for the club’s last league outing – a win against Watford.
James, on the other hand, was trusted to play the full 90 minutes in that match. With that game resulting in the club’s first league win of the campaign, there’s every chance Marcelo Bielsa keeps his faith in James for future matches, even if it does come at the expense of Harrison.
In other news: ‘Goosebumps’, ‘Fantastic’ – Many LUFC fans buzz over ‘special’ footage