£25m Leeds United player has turned his weakness into a strength and is starting to look worth the money: View | OneFootball

Since returning from his loan at Fulham in the summer, Dan James has shown just why Leeds United were so keen to bring him to Elland Road.

The Whites forked out £25million for the Welshman, according to Sky Sports, when they signed him from bitter rivals Manchester United in August 2021.

Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds were long-time admirers of James and tried to sign him in January 2019 during his breakthrough season at Swansea, but a last minute turn of events saw the winger remain in south Wales, much to the annoyance of Leeds' hierarchy.

The side from Elland Road finally got their man two-and-a-half years later, but it's been far from plain sailing for James at Leeds.

Bielsa, who brought James to Leeds, would depart in February 2022 and James would spend the following season on loan at Premier League rivals Fulham.

In James' absence, Leeds would get relegated, but relegation to the second tier has rejuvenated the winger's career at Elland Road.

Dan James' form in front of goal for Leeds United this season

The Welshman's main flaw has been his lack of end product in recent seasons. James' speed often saw him get into good positions, but he was unable to finish them off.

However, this season has seen the winger become somewhat prolific in front of goal. It speaks volumes that we're only in December and James already has his best return in front of goal for a season with seven goals to his name.

This puts him third in Leeds' scoring charts for the season, behind Crysencio Summerville and Joel Piroe, who've scored nine and eight league goals this season.

His tally of seven league goals puts him joint eighth in the league's top scorers, an impressive feat for someone who has struggled in front of goal for so long.

It's quite a remarkable turnaround that someone who has long been criticised for not being good enough in front of goal has become one of Leeds' most prolific goalscorers.

His recent header against Middlesbrough was a goal any striker would have been proud of, made even more impressive given the fact James is just 5"7. Leeds will need to see more of this from the winger as they look to chase down the automatic promotion places.

Dan James finally justifying £25m price tag

Given the money they paid for him, Leeds fans could have been forgiven for thinking it had been a bit of a waste of money prior to this season.

However, given his scoring record and his overall performances this season, James is starting to justify why Leeds paid £25m in 2021 to bring him to the club.

If James continues this impressive run of form and helps to fire Leeds back to the Premier League then he'd have been worth every penny.