How Leeds United have got more out of Dan James: Greediness, unselfishness and greater consistency — Yorkshire Post 13/2/24

Leeds United have got the best out of Daniel James this season with a mixture of greediness, unselfishness and greater consistency, according to manager Daniel Farke.

By Stuart Rayner

The Beverley-born winger has been one of the Championship's best players this term, adding more reliability to the talent which persuaded Manchester United and then-Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa to sign him, and has made him such a key player for Wales.

Missing since late January with a hip flexor injury, James was named on the bench at his old club Swansea City on Tuesday.

This is the first season James has scored double-figure goals, and former striker Farke puts it partly down to a change of mindset.

“Experience is important but the most important topic is the work on the training pitch, during the games and also to bring this greediness and hunger to score goals and assist into the heart of the player,” he said.

“Sometimes you have a natural-born goalscorer and you have this skill or you don't. You will struggle to make a golden boot winner out of a player who is not capable of scoring at all.

“We got the feeling throughout his career he could bring more consistency in these terms and for that we worked on a few bits and pieces, gave some hints and spoke about what he has to improve in other aspects of his game in order to be there with more confidence and to be clinical in front of goal.

“All credit goes to Daniel because we can work with him and speak about a few things, it's him who has to go through the door. It's him who has to works on it and believe in it.”

Farke says James' willingness to sacrifice himself for the team has marked him out as a leader.

“He’s an experienced player with his appearances for the national team too,” said the manager. “It’s quite natural that the older you get, the more important your word in the dressing room is.

“He’s known for his offensive qualities but he is capable of sacrificing himself with a sprint back to recover the ball with a great tackle or to initiate the pressing.

“This has a big effect on the whole team, sometimes even the whole stadium.

“He’s not there every day with speeches in the dressing room but leads by example in training and games, which is what we ask him for.

“He has to sense his importance to the team and for that he's due lots of credit.”