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“8/10 performance rating, truly OUTSTANDING, he’s a key asset for Wales in attack” – National media impressed by Leeds United star, central to his country’s victory yesterday.
Daniel James has carried his impressive form at Leeds United onto the international stage with Wales.
The Leeds winger, number seven for the club, has become a key player for manager Daniel Farke this season, starting 27 times and featuring in 32 of United’s 38 Championship matches so far.
James has already surpassed 10 goals and registered nine assists this term, and at 27 years old, he’s on track to hit double figures in both categories for the first time in his career.
Wales also see him as an important figure in their squad, particularly as their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign kicked off this month. James has made a strong start on international duty as well.
James Keeps Up His Momentum Away from Leeds
It took James just nine minutes on the pitch to add to his goal tally, this time in a Wales shirt, as he scored the opener in a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan.
Wales, with James’ Leeds teammates Joe Rodon and Karl Darlow also in the starting lineup, kicked off their qualifiers with a win. The national press took note of James’ performance.
In their player ratings (March 22), WalesOnline gave him an 8/10 – the same score as man-of-the-match Sorba Thomas – noting that James was “at the heart of his side’s best moves” in a solid performance.
Y Clwb Pel-Droed also awarded him an 8/10 rating, praising James’ speed as “a real weapon for Wales going forward” and his “intensity in his pressing,” even though his final ball was sometimes lacking.
The Daily Mail pointed out a lack of cutting-edge, despite James’ early goal, saying he and Brennan Johnson displayed “a curious lack of inventiveness” against the Kazakh defense.
James Solidifies Leeds’ Starting Role with Wales
While James’ 13 goals last season were a career high, they were overshadowed by Crysencio Summerville’s 20 goals and nine assists, which earned him the Championship Player of the Year award.
James also lost his place in the starting XI to Willy Gnonto toward the end of last season, but this year, he’s remained Farke’s go-to option on the right, despite strong competition from Gnonto and Largie Ramazani.
Farke’s trust in James has paid off as the season nears its conclusion. Although James has gone six league games without a goal, his recent strike for Wales will likely boost his confidence.
