---
title: "Leeds: Dan James struggling to adapt under Bielsa, claims Hutton"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-whites-alan-hutton-dan-james-marcelo-bielsa-premier-league-manchester-united/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "jonathan radcliffe"
section: "Features"
published: "2021-11-03T19:35:30Z"
modified: "2021-11-03T19:35:30Z"
---

# Leeds: Dan James struggling to adapt under Bielsa, claims Hutton

**Former Premier League defender Alan Hutton feels Dan James is struggling to adapt to what Marcelo Bielsa wants at Leeds United.**

### **The Lowdown: James not off to best start**

£16.2m-valued James ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-james/marktwertverlauf/spieler/319301)) made the move to Elland Road from Manchester United during the summer transfer window, with the Whites finally capturing their man after almost doing so two years ago ([via Wales Online](https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/true-story-daniel-james-leeds-21441153)).

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The Wales international has not had the best of starts in Yorkshire however, failing to score and providing just one assist in nine outings in all competitions ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-james/leistungsdaten/spieler/319301)), while he has already been used in [four](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-james/leistungsdaten/spieler/319301) different positions by Marcelo Bielsa, perhaps suggesting the Argentine hasn’t quite found what the Wales international is best at yet.

### **The Latest: Hutton questions James’ ability to adapt**

[Speaking to Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/james-cant-cope-at-leeds-as-bielsa-wants-him-in-defence-pundit/), Hutton, 36, believes James is failing to adapt to what his manager wants. He said:

> *“To be honest, I think it’s his all-round game.*
>
> *“Let’s be honest, he’s still adapting to the style and what Bielsa wants from him. He was kind of stuck out on the left for a long period of time.*
>
> *“Balls were going over his head and he was actually being asked to be a left-back at times. There was one he got caught out and Norwich had a really good opportunity from it.*
>
> *“After that, Bielsa realised and put him through the middle, tried to utilise his pace.*
>
> *“I think he’s still adapting to the way they play. It’s man-v-man covering, it can be hectic at times when you’re at the stadium when you’re actually watching it.*
>
> *“These are things that he has to get used to. He has to get used to it quick because the expectation levels on him are obviously very high.”*

### **The Verdict: Give him time**

James was signed for a hefty £25m from the Red Devils ([BBC](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58393587)) – only [Rodrigo](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53914263) has ever cost Leeds more. As such, the expectations on the 23-year-old’s shoulders are heavier than they would be for most, especially given the Yorkshire outfit are currently 17th in the Premier League table.

\[freshpress-poll id=”377035″\]

It would appear the former Swansea City winger is struggling to match Bielsa’s defensive demands. He has averaged 0.6 tackles and 0.3 interceptions per game with his new club ([via WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/19/Show/England-Leeds)). Raphinha for example, an attacking player just like James, has managed [1.4](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/19/Show/England-Leeds) and 0.6 respectively, which is the kind of standard the new boy must match if he wants to make an impact.

However, it is hard to make such a judgement after two months – he deserves more time than that.

***In other news, [Leeds want to sign this Championship star.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/leeds-whites-john-swift-reading-marcelo-bielsa-elland-road/)***