This season’s Leeds United team is much different from the one promoted from the Championship. Last year’s group of players were not quite as impressive, but managed to win the league.
Daniel Farke barely got any signings, and had to improvise with his team after losing three of their best players. Last year’s Championship campaign showed just how great of a coach the German is. He managed to get the attack to score 95 goals with a very intense brand of football. Farke’s tactics revolved around wing play, with the fullbacks and wingers last season thriving.
Dan James, Junior Firpo, Jayden Bogle and Manor Solomon were among the top players when it came to goal involvements last year. The style suited the Whites as they won the league on the final day.
Leeds United star opens up on frustrating season
This season has been much different, with Leeds United having had to adapt to a more pragmatic style due to the level of opposition in the Premier League. Junior Firpo left on a free, and Manor Solomon returned to his loan club. The club have had a much-changed attack this campaign, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor being the main contributors.
One of the more disappointing first team stars this season has been Dan James. Due to injury and fitness problems, the winger has barely gotten a run of games in the first team. The Welsh international was a big part of last season, and he has opened up on how difficult this campaign has been for him.
“I got a rib injury at Fulham, which was so weird, then coming back from that I did my ankle in training, which was off a shot,” he said on the official Leeds United podcast.
“I just worked really hard and felt really confident, used every day to get something out of training. Even if on the weekend, I wasn’t playing as much, I felt like I worked really hard and ended up starting at City away. I felt I got my rewards to be able to start there.”
“And just before half time, I did my hamstring. It was a tough one because I think at the time, it didn’t feel that bad, but because there was tendon involved, I ended up being out eight weeks, which was another low. It was gutting.”
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What do Leeds do with Dan James this summer?
Dan James has made just 16 appearances in all competitions this season for Leeds United. And that could be something the club will look at heading into the summer. Since the end of last season, he has barely been fit; and his impact has been drastically reduced this campaign. After giving him a new long-term contract, the Whites seem to have locked themselves into a corner over his future. They will be hoping he regains fitness enough to be a regular next season. But if these problems persist, James may end up needing to join another club.
