Leeds United winger Dan James has become a totally vital presence in the Whites’ starting lineup, and his contract might become an issue soon.
Leeds continued their fine form this week with a stunning 4-0 win over Watford at Vicarage Road to move onto 69 points for the season with 14 games left to play.
Their big test comes in the next two games against Sunderland and Sheffield United, but the form that the side are in means they will likely have no fear whatsoever.
We all knew prior to Tuesday night’s 4-0 victory that a loose pass hates to see Dan James coming, but Watford’s Edo Kayembe fell foul of the Welshman’s intense pressing in the first half.
A sloppy first-time pass to his wide centre-back dropped right into trouble and allowed James to latch onto it in a flash, sprinting clear and dispatching with ease for 1-0.
James’ blistering speed then brought him another goal as Brenden Aaronson and Joel Piroe connected to release the winger down the right, thumping a shot high into the roof of the net for 2-0.
Manor Solomon and Piroe made the scoreline emphatic either side of half-time as Leeds cantered to a 4-0 drubbing of previous playoff hopefuls Watford.
There are very few players you would expect to be a better professional on and off the field than James – where others jumped ship after relegation, James came back from being cast out on loan to Fulham in order to fight for his place and to get Leeds back up to the top flight.
A £25million signing from Manchester United in 2021, James had a lot of work on his hands to fully convince fans that he would be not only worth the money, but a definite long-term success at the club, something that now looks to be an obvious statement.
His arrival was on a five-year deal from the Red Devils, and his contract is into the final 18 months, something that Leeds surely have to be considering rectifying in the very near future.
10 goals and six assists this season is fast becoming James’ best season in terms of output, and his transformation in front of goal is an asset Leeds can ill afford to leave susceptible to low-ball transfer offers in the summer.
Of course, his wages after arriving as a Premier League signing might mean Leeds want to secure promotion before offering new contracts out to expensive senior players, but the plans have to be in place, and it’s certainly something you can see the winger himself being fully open to.
Leeds United can’t avoid this contract issue any longer, 16G/A favourite needs new deal – View
