---
title: "Leeds: Noel Whelan makes Dan James claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-noel-whelan-makes-dan-james-claim/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2022-04-07T08:38:00Z"
modified: "2022-04-07T08:38:00Z"
---

# Leeds: Noel Whelan makes Dan James claim

**Leeds ambassador Noel Whelan believes Jesse Marsch has a new ‘problem’ with Dan James in a central attacking role, [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-united-employee-dan-james-tipped-for-axe-v-watford-as-problem-spotted/) report.**

### The Lowdown: James’ Elland Road career

James finally made the move to Yorkshire last summer in a deal worth over [£26m](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-james/transfers/spieler/319301). Since then, the Wales international has made [30](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-james/leistungsdaten/spieler/319301) appearances for the Whites, scoring [four](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-james/leistungsdaten/spieler/319301) goals and registering [four](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-james/leistungsdaten/spieler/319301) assists.

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He has been used as a [centre-forward](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-james/leistungsdaten/spieler/319301) more than a winger at Elland Road due to Patrick Bamford’s injury struggles, once again occupying a [central role](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-james/leistungsdaten/spieler/319301) in the 1-1 draw with Southampton on Saturday.

The 24-year-old was withdrawn on the hour mark for Joe Gelhardt, and Whelan thinks he may drop out of the starting line up for the trip to Watford on Saturday.

### The Latest: Whelan’s comments

Whelan, now a [Leeds employee](https://twitter.com/NoelDavidWhelan/status/1412024796783710211), described ‘the problem’ to [FI](https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-united-employee-dan-james-tipped-for-axe-v-watford-as-problem-spotted/) with James and said he may ‘have to make way’ for Rodrigo or Gelhardt.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”389016″\]

> “The problem with Dan James in that striker position is that he’s playing like a winger.
>
> “His runs are always the same – in behind and using his pace. But part of a striker’s job is playing with your back to goal, holding the ball up and trying to bring others into play.
>
> “That’s where Gelhardt or Rodrigo would be a more natural choice. I think if James is going to play going forward, it will have to be on that wing.
>
> “With Jack Harrison getting the goal and Raphinha on the other wing, it could be that he’ll have to make way.
>
> “I like to see these jigsaw pieces playing in the correct positions.”

### The Verdict: Options limited

Gelhardt would be the natural replacement to lead the line, with Rodrigo just in behind, but he too has suffered a problem, [hobbling](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/joe-gelhardt-injury-leeds-u23s/) off for the Under-23s on Monday.

The [initial diagnosis](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/joe-gelhardt-injury-latest-phil-hay/) was a dead leg, however, the teenager could be in a race against time to play a key role at Vicarage Road, which could result in James once again occupying a centre-forward role.

He has shown at times how much of a threat he can be there, scoring [twice](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-james/leistungsdaten/spieler/319301) against Aston Villa in February, but since then, he hasn’t found the net, so if Gelhadt is ready from the off, it could be a wise move to make a change.

***In other news: [Elland Road source: Marsch and Orta now ready to axe ‘horrible’ Leeds ace after woeful season.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-ready-sell-robin-koch-transfer-news/)***