Last season in the Championship saw one of the most attacking Leeds United teams in recent history. Daniel Farke had the frontline operating at full capacity.
Despite Whites losing Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter in the offseason, it barely looked like their absence was felt.
Leeds ended up scoring over 90 goals as they broke the 100-point barrier in the Championship. A front four of Dan James, Manor Solomon, Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson dominated the league.
It took Daniel Farke’s men until the final day of the season to lift the league title.
This past year saw the team play a more conservative style after being promoted. The emphasis was on solidity rather than goalscoring.
Leeds United must sacrifice £25m hero this summer
And with the amount of attacking talent that left the club, Farke’s choice was justified.
Mateo Joseph, Largie Ramazani and Patrick Bamford were not part of the plans for this upcoming season. Joseph and Ramazani left on loan, while Bamford ended his contract at Elland Road.
Despite that ruthless decision, Leeds United ended up surviving relegation, and finishing in 14th place in the Premier League.
The second season is always the most difficult for promoted sides, as they have to navigate teams who now know how they play. So they have to improve their squad overall.
This summer might see Leeds part ways with Dan James; the winger had an underwhelming campaign finishing the season without a goal.
Fans may not like it, but shipping the 28-year old could be a blessing for the club.
READ MORE: Leeds fans won’t like Andrea Radrizzani’s latest Marcelo Bielsa confession
Dan James may never be the same again
James has not been the same since last year, where he stepped up during the promotion run in. His 12 goals and nine assists in the Championship were a big reason why Leeds were still in the promotion race.
After signing a huge new contract, he has not been the same.
Hampered by injury and unproductive when fit this season, questions must be asked about how long the club can keep him on their books.
The new Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) rules will affect Leeds’ spending this summer, which points to the fact that a host of first team players could be sold.
Outside the more obvious options like Max Wober and Joel Piroe, the 49ers must weigh the option of selling Dan James in the coming months.
I feel for Dan James. Far too good for the Championship but not good enough for the PL.
He”s not the same, for his own good move him on somewhere surely?
Piroe, James, Wober, Joseph, Schmidt, Harrison, Ramazani, Gelhardt, Cairns, Longstaff, and Bornauw that should do the job, and generate some cash and save on there mega wages too, you need to act immediately on ins and outs if you want to survive?