‘Harry Wilson is my key minutes rival at Leeds United but I’m backing him to become a serious fan favourite’
The Welshman’s start to life at Leeds United has been slow but improved in recent weeks.
Leeds United new-boy Harry Wilson has been backed to become a ‘serious fan favourite’ by one of his main positional rivals.
Wilson joined Leeds on a free transfer in the summer after calling time on a five-year spell at Fulham. The winger’s final season at Craven Cottage was by far his best, with 10 goals and seven assists in the Premier League enough for him to be crowned player of the season.
In eight league games so far for Leeds, Wilson is yet to provide a goal contribution but he was better at Bournemouth and made a positive impact off the bench against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. And fellow wide man Daniel James expects him to keep improving.
“As a senior player, I think it was obviously very different coming to a club after being at one for so many years,” James said with the pair on Wales duty. “He was really settled at Fulham and then made the choice to move away.
“I think he’s been brilliant. He’s been a great addition for us. We know what Harry’s quality is and I think he’s still got so much more to come. He’ll be a serious fan favourite for what he brings.”
Wilson hasn’t been helped by a stop-start opening few months of the campaign. The 29-year-old missed the last international break with Wales due to a quad injury while only three of his eight league appearances have come from the start.
The Leeds new-boy is set to win his 70th Wales cap in Saturday’s Nations League game against Norway in Oslo and will hope a run of international starts can bring rhythm. James is in no doubt of his teammate’s quality and is happy to see him back fit again.
“We definitely missed him last camp, so it’s great to have him now,” James added. “I think Harry would probably have wanted more consistency in terms of playing, but this is the Premier League.
“We as players, and Harry himself, have full belief that he can perform to his best. We all know what he can bring, what he did last season in the Premier League, but also for Wales, where he was absolutely fantastic.
“Obviously, that injury put him back a bit. But he’s back to full fitness now and I’m sure we’ll see his qualities again this week.”