'Leeds stars to request transfer exits over Dan James' - Fans rage

18/02/2025 17:00

Leeds United fans were hugely frustrated with Dan James despite a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sunderland on Monday.

The Welshman has been in fine form this season, notching 10 goals and six assists after becoming a staple in Daniel Farke’s starting XI last term.

With Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter stealing the spotlight during the 2023/24 campaign, James’ performances went under the radar as he recorded 20 goal contributions in the Championship.

He could have a very similar impact this time around, with the Whites atop the Championship table once again, but his display against the Black Cats on 17 February left a lot to be desired.

Dan James frustrates before Pascal Struijk heroics

Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland were heading for an unexpected 1-0 win at Elland Road, with the clock ticking into the final 15 minutes of the match.

James and Manor Solomon struggled against Dennis Cirkin and Trai Hume for the majority of the game, though both eventually picked up yellow cards for challenges on their opposite attacker.

While Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson also disappointed during the 90 minutes, Joe Rothwell and Pascal Struijk linked up twice for Leeds in the dying embers to seal all three points in a 2-1 comeback thriller.

It was James’ attempts on goal that caused the most frustration at Elland Road, with only one of his five shots actually reaching Anthony Patterson in between the sticks [FotMob].

Leeds United suffer from lack of creativity in final third

Farke raised a lot of eyebrows when choosing to bring on Rothwell and Struijk when chasing the game, but in the end, it turned out to be the best decision.

Leeds’ wingers were completely marked out of the game, though James was still able to threaten in the final third. It was his choice of end product that disappointed the fans, though.

Only Largie Ramazani boasts more shots per 90 minutes than the Welshman, but the latter’s conversion rate still leaves a lot to be desired, even despite his astonishing record in front of goal.

This has caused some fans to suggest that his teammates might be getting rather frustrated by his decision-making in the final third, taking long-shot strikes instead of finding a simple pass, with one going as far as claiming “I’d ask for a transfer”, and another worried about the “serious rise” in wasted shots.

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