Leeds United correspondent Beren Cross has dropped a damning claim on summer arrivals Daniel James and Junior Firpo following the conclusion of the January transfer window.
The winter window shut on Monday as Marcelo Bielsa’s side failed to add to their squad, with the only business at Elland Road seeing Cody Drameh leave on loan to Cardiff City.
Who was the better signing for Leeds?
Daniel James
Junior Firpo
And the lack of business may come as a disappointment considering where the Whites sit in the Premier League table amid their injury crisis.
With no new signings last month, the focus will now turn to the likes of James and Firpo to prove their worth having been signed back in the summer and with relegation a real threat – particularly amid Newcastle United strengthening over January.
One of Leeds’ biggest issues this season has been the injury sustained by Patrick Bamford which has seen last season’s top scorer miss the majority of the campaign.
Without the goals of Bamford, Bielsa has been forced to rely upon Raphinha for goals, with James struggling to find any form in front of goal at Elland Road.
“As 21/22 signings, the jury has to remain out on Firpo and James right now. They deserve time to continue to bed in and find their feet in this team. We have seen in a few cases how the second season under Bielsa can be better for players,” said Cross.
TIF Thoughts on James & Firpo…
While Cross calls for patience over both players, the fact he feels the jury is still out for the duo suggests that neither player has hit the standards expected at Leeds to this point.
Firpo seemed to have a difficult time acclimatising himself to English football, however, he has recently shown promising signs of getting up to speed with the Premier League.
It certainly feels as if James has struggled more in Bielsa’s side given the opportunities made available for him this season in the absence of Bamford.
Although he is typically used as a winger, James has been played up top at times this season, but has only been able to find the back of the net on two occasions in the top flight.
And given the Whites spent in the region of £26.19m on the Welshman, we think there is still a fair way to go for him to prove his worth, but with their top-flight status to play for, he could still have a big role to play in Leeds’ season.
In other news: ‘Thinking like elite clubs do’ – Phil Hay drops Harry Kane transfer comparison claim at Leeds