Dan James: Leeds United’s Lightning Launchpad

When we first registered our interest in Dan James, he was flying at Swansea City – both us and the Swans were in the Championship at the time (January 2019).

It was the nearing the end of the January transfer window and he had completed a medical with us. He was all set to sign, the deal was basically completed when at the last minute, Swansea chairman, Huw Jenkins changed his mind. I for one was livid – he could have been a game-changing answer to us getting promoted in our first season under Marcelo Bielsa’s first season in charge.

Indeed, James himself is rumoured to have launched his phone across the room, his representatives and our board were furious, but, that was that. He returned to Wales at almost midnight, down and dejected.

We were understood to revisit the transfer the following summer, before ‘that lot’ put a bid in – for far more than we had offered initially and, that as they say, was that.

Or was it? James showed glimpses of quality at Manchester United and indeed, made an impact against us when we were promoted a year later, though couldn’t cement his place. Though, I’ve got to admit, when we did eventually get him and for, what I thought was an inflated £25 million I was massively underwhelmed.

It was at the end of our first season in the Premier League. We’d exceeded expectations by finishing ninth, were linked to a lot of quality players and in the end, brought in only James.

Initial Struggles To Settle In Before Blitzing Into Life

He did okay during his first season, usually rotating with Raphinha on the right, or featuring on the left in tandem with the Brazilian, though during our third season in the top-flight, James was used by Bielsa as a lone striker, who thought he had the characteristics to fullfil that role (mainly due his pace) though it was a crazy experiment that ultimately failed.

However, when we dropped back down, I definitely thought he would make an impact and I’m glad we kept hold of him. Obviously outshone by Crysencio Summerville on the left, James still caused teams trouble and still managed 13 goals and seven assists in 40 Championship appearances.

The season that followed (2024/25), he was voted our Player of The Season and I wasn’t really surprised – his game had come on leaps and bounds since his first season for us. While he scored a goal less (12), than the season before, he upped his assists with nine – many of them being the result of making runs to receive the ball, prior to squaring unselfishly across the penalty area. As a result of such a glowing season, we gave him a new four-year contract.

Dan James Player Profile

Attribute Details
Full Name Daniel Owen James
Date of Birth 10, November, 1997
Age (2024/25) 27 years
Nationality Welsh
Position Right Winger / Forward
Height 1.70 m (5’7″)
Club Leeds United
League EFL Championship (2024/25)
Preferred Foot Right
International Caps 55+

Wales’ Heir To Ryan Giggs?

After his breakthrough season at Swansea, in which we first registered our interest, James was drawing comparisons to former Wales and Manchester United star, Giggs especially with his playing style.

There was a considerable amount of hope that he could emulate the multiple medal winner and become the next big thing for Wales in a similar way that Gareth Bale did. James’ exploits at Leeds during the club’s two seasons back in the Championship saw him start to really reach his potential and show what he can do.

However, James was 26 when he first started to come into his own and by this point, Giggs already had a drawer full of medals. While James could boast one Championship winners’ medal he could though, look to the future with hope.

Statistical Breakdown Of James’ 2024/25 Season

Statistic Total Value (2024/25 Season) Per 90 Minutes Notes/Percentile
Matches Played 36 N/A 30 Starts, 6 Sub Ins
Minutes Played 2620 N/A
Goals 12 0.41 Top 96 percentile
Assists 9 0.31
Goal Involvements (G+A) 21 0.72 Top 99 percentile
Expected Goals (xG) 13.33 0.46 Top 97 percentile
Shots on Target ~ (derived) 0.61* 0.61* Estimated based on goal ratio and shooting data
Dribbles ~3.5* 3.5* Estimated typical winger’s dribbles
Crosses ~4.0* 4.0* Estimated typical winger crossing
Progressive Passes ~8* 8* Approximate based on role and passing style
Chances Created ~2.2* 2.2* Estimated based on assists and chances
Tackles ~1.1* 1.1* Estimated typical for winger
Interceptions ~0.7* 0.7* Typical number for winger

Where Does James Rank In Terms Of Leeds Wingers?

There have been some great wingers at our club throughout the years – that is for sure. Those that have been ‘traditional wingers’, who would stay wide, hug the touchline and look to deliver (James) and those who were ‘inverted’, looking to cut inside and shoot or link play (Raphinha).

You could probably add Harry Kewell in there as well, who would, on occasion play in a two as a striker, as well as on the left wing. Of course, in the doldrums, we had the likes’ of Robert Snodgrass and Max Gradel, who were both very good for us at that level.

In the nineties, we had Gordon Strachan and Gary Speed, who were mainstays throughout the early years, while prior to this, there was Albert Johanneson and Arthur Graham. Of course, both Peter Lorimer and Eddie Gray can be considered club legends.

With that in mind, I don’t think I’d put James in with the names mentioned, though it is fair to say, he definitely made his mark on the club.