Dan James sends emphatic message to Daniel Farke back at Leeds United after blunt criticism
Dan James has only made three Premier League starts this season for Leeds in what has been an irritating campaign so far.
The Wales international suffered damage to his ankle in September, leading to a spell on the sidelines and consequently losing his place in the starting XI too.
Daniel Farke was unhappy with James, admitting he left the Welshman on the bench for the 3-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest for tactical reasons rather than anything related to his fitness.
The German was fairly ruthless in his assessment, saying: “Of course, he could have started, yes. It’s not just a tactical choice, it’s also performance-related… I didn’t see in the last games when he came in that he took the league by storm.”
Those comments from Daniel Farke now seem to have sparked a response from Dan James after the Leeds No.7 delivered a fantastic performance for Wales.
Dan James shows Daniel Farke exactly what he can do for Leeds United with inspired Wales display
The man born in Kingston upon Hull set up Jordan James to help fire Wales to a 1-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying win over Liechtenstein, with that assist one of several impressive moments.
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Leeds fans flocked to social media to call on Farke to start James as they watched him rack up three key passes, four accurate crosses and also hit the post, on a night where he looked a real livewire down the right flank.
CategoryStatisticTop statsGoals0Assists1Total shots2Accurate passes21/24 (88%)Chances created3Dribbles1/2AttackTouches45Accurate crosses4/8Possession lost12DefenceTackles won0Clearances0Interceptions0Dribbled past0DuelsGround duels won2/4Aerial duels won1/2Was fouled1Recoveries3
(Sofascore)
It was an admirable display from someone who has played just 72 minutes across the last four Premier League games, with James – who claims he is now fully fit again – showing no signs of rustiness whatsoever.
Brenden Aaronson has been given more than enough chances
When Leeds return to action against Aston Villa on Sunday 23rd November, Farke has to drop Brenden Aaronson in place of James.
The United States international seems to be given far more opportunities than others without justifying his manager’s faith.
Aaronson also lacks the electric pace James possesses, which is crucial in terms of stretching opposition backlines and creating space for others, even if he does not directly score or create a goal himself.
Farke should be proud of James for playing so well against Liechtenstein in the wake of some pretty unfair comments, and the only worthy reward would be to start him against Aston Villa.
