Leeds United winger Daniel James wouldn't be a Premier League player if he didn't have the pace. That's the opinion of former Leeds and Reading defender Ian Harte, who has likened the Welsh international to Adama Traore given his physical attributes and technical ability.
James has had a sometimes difficult campaign since his £25million move from Manchester United last summer, chipping in with four goals and four assists in 26 games. He has also failed to find the net in his last eight appearances dating back to the 3-3 draw against Aston Villa, where he grabbed a brace.
Arguably, his lack of consistency could be down to not playing in his natural position. James has been used in a lone striker role for the majority of the season after Patrick Bamford picked up an ankle injury in September.
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It is a role that James has flourished in, at times, but his preferred position is out wide. The winger played most of his football at the Red Devils on the right or left wing, where he was able to use his pace and beat the full-back. James' best game in a Man United shirt was against Manchester City last season, where was able to use his speed on the right and break in behind the back-line. However, Harte feels that James is still not up to standard for the top-flight on a technical basis.
Speaking to Freebets.com, he said: "Let’s be honest, if he didn’t have the pace, he wouldn’t play in the Premier League. He doesn’t have the knowledge or the know-how.
"It’s just head down and run. He’s got unbelievable pace, but like Adama Traore, he needs to learn to slow his legs down to get the cross in.
"The majority of games I’ve seen, they end up going over and across the crossbar. Signing him from United for 25 million when they had him for four million – he’s done ok, he’s got raw pace but I’m not a massive fan."
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