YouTuber Joe Wainman has claimed that Leeds United can’t have Dan James going into next season as one of their striking options.
Last term, James had to occupy the lone striker role on several occasions for Leeds in the Premier League – largely down to the injury issues suffered by Patrick Bamford, who was only able to feature nine times in the top flight. James featured in the centre-forward role for Leeds more often than his preferred position on either wing, and netted just twice whilst deployed through the middle.
Leeds have been heavily linked with a few strikers throughout the summer transfer window including Charles de Ketelaere and Arnaud Kalimuendo, who would both come in and hopefully solve the attacking issues faced by Jesse Marsch.
With James featuring as a lone striker last season when he is naturally a winger, Wainman spoke on the JustJoe Football Show and claimed that Leeds can’t go into the new season with the Welshman as an option as a centre-forward.
He said: “We can’t start the season with just Bamford and Joffy, we can’t. Because [when] Bamford breaks down, before you know it, Dan James is leading the line again.
“I am sorry to have to do it, but we can’t go into a Premier League season with Dan James even being considered as a striker option.”
Do you think Dan James will come good next season?Yes
No
|
TIF Thoughts on Wainman’s comments…
Bamford was in emphatic goalscoring form during the 2020/21 Premier League season, netting 17 times and chipping in with a further eight assists in 38 games, and was heavily missed last term when he was absent due to injury.
With Leeds being linked to several strikers this summer, this is perhaps an indication that James will not be seen as an option as a main striker next season by Marsch, and he will be able to return to his natural position as a winger where he can hopefully have a greater impact.