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Why Leeds might have backed themselves into a Dan James corner with 'significant' thing they did
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- Why Leeds might have backed themselves into a Dan James corner with 'significant' thing they did
Dan James' Leeds United career feels at a bit of a crossroads.
The Wales winger has been struggling with injury for most of the 2026-2027 Premier League campaign.
James was reportedly back in contention for the goalless draw with Sunderland, but did not make the matchday squad.
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Indeed, with the addition of Jean-Matteo Bahoya, who himself has only had five minutes, in the summer, James' role in the squad looks even more diminished.
It stands to reason that the 28-year-old might want to seek an exit route if he is out of favour under Daniel Farke.
But, have Leeds potentially backed themselves into a corner over his future?
Leeds could face Dan James quandary
James was a pivotal figure in helping Leeds return to the Premier League in the 2024-25 season.
The rapid Welshman scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in that title-winning Championship campaign.
Indeed, his form earned him a new four-year contract in 2025, which LeedsLive suggested would have seen him earn a "significant" pay bump.
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If that is the case, then it is hard to imagine that James will earn the same sort of money elsewhere, especially as he approaches 30.
So, where would that leave Leeds? You can't imagine James would be too keen to take a pay cut if he were offered the chance to move elsewhere.
A loan move might end up being a good solution, but you would potentially just be kicking the can down the road.
It might be that Farke still has plans to use James, but his situation is not as clear cut as it might once have been.
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The issue James and several other Leeds attackers have, is that there isn't a natural fit for him in the team.
Ever since Farke switched to a 3-4-3 formation, Leeds have relied on the use of wing-backs such as Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson to provide the threat from out wide.
James has been used as a right wing-back himself, but he is not as accomplished there as Bogle is.
So, it means his minutes are likely to be from the bench, if they come at all.
Right now, it is hard to see where he slots in under Farke, even among the subs bench.
