Compared to some in the division, Leeds United are yet to be completely ravaged by injuries so far this season. That said, they have suffered from some absences here and there.
Lucas Perri has been out of Daniel Farke’s plans since featuring against Newcastle United through injury, but this setback hasn’t derailed the Whites too much, with Karl Darlow taking over in goal, resulting in a win and a draw being clinched.
Moreover, Jayden Bogle has managed to wriggle free of any injury difficulties – with Farke worrying he might have missed the AFC Bournemouth draw – only for the former Sheffield United man to win seven ground duels versus their Premier League foes.
Leeds are well equipped to deal with injury struggles; therefore, with Daniel James, another injury-prone figure, now taking up room in the Elland Road treatment room.
The latest on Dan James' injury setback
It’s well-known by this point that the Welshman has routinely looked out of his depth in the Premier League, whether that be with Leeds or at other clubs.
Glancing at his numbers in the top-flight, and then comparing them to his Championship statistics, it’s really night and day between the two of them.
Once labelled an “exceptional” talent by ex-Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he has struggled to ever look Premier League-ready.
Indeed, in the EFL’s elite division to date, the 27-year-old attacker has a bumper 29 goals and 25 assists next to his name, notably finding his way into the PFA Team of the Season for 2024/25.
On the contrary, in the league above, it’s just 12 goals and 13 assists to shout about, with his sketchy injury record also a major cause for concern for the number seven when it comes to regular minutes this season.
Worries emerged earlier this week that the winger had suffered an ACL injury and while the full extent of his recently obtained ankle injury is yet to be fully revealed, it is alleged that he could only miss up to six weeks of action, having also sat out a total of ten games last campaign during Leeds’ promotion hunt due to a hamstring issue.
Despite the Welshman sliding down the pecking order somewhat, he will still be fondly remembered for his key role last season as promotion was achieved, despite said setbacks.
Yet, it’s clear now, from Leeds’ summer business, that upgrades have been purchased all over the pitch to help the top-flight newcomers adjust to the testing Premier League, with one signing already looking a better talent than James at the elite level.
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The "electric" star who is better than James
Both of Leeds’ early wins in the Premier League this season have been picked up courtesy of a whole host of Farke’s new purchases shining bright.
On the opening day, it was Lukas Nmecha – who joined from Wolfsburg this summer – who stole the headlines when converting a late penalty to hand his new employers a 1-0 win over Everton.
Then, it was the turn of Noah Okafor, who would seal a convincing 3-1 victory on the road against Wolverhampton Wanderers, after leaving AC Milan behind for England late into the hectic transfer window.
Unlike James, who relocated to Elland Road nervously after a stop-start time at the Red Devils, Okafor has arrived in England with his confidence full to the brim.
Indeed, he caused defences in the Austrian Bundesliga, Serie A, and the Swiss Super League all sorts of bother, before another top-flight adventure opened up for him.
Amazingly, playing for the likes of RB Salzburg, Milan, and Basel, Okafor notched up a blistering 81 goal contributions, which blows James’ own lacklustre numbers in the Premier League – another tough top-flight division in Europe – out of the water.
LW
90
20 + 9
CF
79
26 + 16
RW
40
10 + 7
SS
2
0
LM
1
0
Consequently, Leeds might no longer feel a need to persist with James, even with the knowledge that he can bamboozle defences with his pace and skill on his day, when they have a similar winger who is proven at the very top in their fresh number 19.
It’s safe to say that the Swiss is also bamboozling defences in England, evoking memories of a tricky Raphinha when he once plied his trade at Elland Road. Indeed, to rubber-stamp that comparison, Okafor notably made a ridiculous 12 dribbles in the opening 45 minutes of that game with Wolves, the most by any player in the first half of a Premier League game since Boxing Day 2019, when Wilfried Zaha achieved 13 vs West Ham.
James will, no doubt, be given his moment in the Premier League spotlight again when he wriggles free of his latest injury setback.
But, with faces such as the “electric” Okafor already impressing – as he was once labelled by scout Jacek Kulig – Farke won’t feel he has to show blind loyalty to his old guard going forward.
