Leeds United have reached the FA Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 20 years after beating Norwich City 3-0 at Elland Road on Sunday.
Sean Longstaff strengthened his case for a return to the starting line-up in the upcoming league matches with a superb goal that even left former England captain Alan Shearer impressed.
It was an opportunity for squad players such as Longstaff to impress Daniel Farke ahead of the business end of the season as Leeds look to secure Premier League survival.
However, not every one of the squad players made an impression, and Daniel James is one such star who will be sweating over his future at Elland Road after the display.
Daniel James was ineffective against Norwich City
The Welshman signed a new bumper contract last summer, which was expected to herald a new chapter for him at Elland Road following promotion.
However, the winger has had a difficult season, riddled with injuries, and a formation change means he no longer has a natural place in the team.
James returned to the starting eleven against Norwich and played 70 minutes before Jayden Bogle replaced him in the team. He was largely ineffective on Sunday.
The Welshman created one big change during his time on the pitch, but failed to put in a single accurate cross from the wings despite four attempts.
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Club | Leeds United |
| Opponent | Norwich City |
| Assists | 0 |
| Big Chances Created | 1 |
| Key Passes | 1 |
| Crosses (Accurate) | 4 (0) |
| Accurate Passes | 8/11 (73%) |
| Passes in Opposition Half | 6/9 (67%) |
| Passes in Own Half | 2/2 (100%) |
He touched the ball just 22 times and lost possession 11 times during the game at Elland Road.
While the team looked good, James looked out of place and lacking match sharpness, which the coaching staff recognised and replaced him after 70 minutes.
He is almost certain to be on the bench when Leeds travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace in a big Premier League game this weekend.
Leeds’ gamble has not paid off
The new contract moved Daniel James into the group of Leeds United’s highest earners. He is now the third-best paid player in the squad at Elland Road.
James reportedly earns a base salary of around £75,000 per week, with performance-related bonuses that can take his earnings to more than £93,000. At the moment, only the summer signings Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Sean Longstaff are on higher wages, which creates a bit of a dilemma for Leeds.
From a financial standpoint, it is difficult for the club to justify having one of their top earners not be a guaranteed starter when fit. Yet that is exactly the situation Leeds currently find themselves in.
If the club were to consider moving him on next summer, his wage package could also become a significant hurdle. Finding a club willing to match those figures would not be easy.
There is also a growing feeling that Leeds may have acted too quickly in offering James a new deal. Waiting to see how he adapted to life back in the Premier League might have been the more sensible approach.
Right now, the decision risks looking like an expensive misstep unless the winger can rediscover his form before the season comes to an end.
