'I'm not a natural' - How Daniel Farke's season-defining Leeds United decision affected Championship favourite
Daniel James has needed to adapt following a change of formation at Leeds United.
Daniel James believes he still has a role at Leeds United despite manager Daniel Farke’s mid-season move away from traditional wingers.
James was sidelined for two months through the winter with a hamstring tendon injury and returned to a completely different Leeds side. The Welshman was one of two half-time changes at Manchester City in November, with Farke making what now feels like a season-defining switch to a back three.
Farke has continually tweaked his ‘base formation’ to either involve three central midfielders and a front two or a pair of inside forwards either side of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. In either iteration, wing-backs Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson provide the only consistent width.
James enjoyed his best-ever season at right-wing during Leeds’ Championship title triumph but that position, occupied mainly by Brenden Aaronson, is much more nuanced in the Premier League. The more traditional speedy wide man still insists he can offer a point of difference, however, be it in place of the American or behind him.
“The way we're playing it now, my role may be a little bit different because we're playing that three at the back, but I think the way we build up with the wing-back playing as a right winger, I can play as that,” James told the Official Leeds United podcast. “Obviously I can come back, I like to work hard for the team, but ultimately you don't want to see me defend in a back five. You want to see me going forward.
Daniel James facing Leeds United challenge
“I think I can play that role, being out wide, but I feel like with the three up top, especially with a lot of bodies, I'm not a natural 10 as we kind of play it in there, but I feel like I can play it a different way by stretching the last line. I can come into feet but ultimately, it’s how can I stretch the game and create space for others?”
James is facing a challenge to make an impact in either role. The winger hasn’t started a Premier League game since Farke’s formation switch and his last two substitute appearances - against Brentford and Burnley either side of an adductor injury - have totalled just nine minutes.
“It's something I’ve had to adapt to and how am I going to fit in here? I can play the wing-back role, but I also think I can play in them two positions behind the striker,” he added. “I'm not going to play it like Brenden or others play it, but I feel like I can definitely have an impact in that role by maybe stretching the game a little bit more.
“I think even the little first touches around the corner always helps, knowing that you've got bodies, but then playing as a second striker. I think I've had to adapt since obviously before my injury, if we're playing three at the back now, how do I suit this role? I just try and take every opportunity I get to influence that and be good for the team.”