Daniel Farke aims sarcastic dig at Jesse Marsch for his treatment of Leeds United star

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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has aimed a thinly-veiled criticism at former boss Jesse Marsch in the build-up to the game against Aston Villa.

Dan James has endured a frustrating season to date, having missed time through injury before being dropped to the bench by Daniel Farke.

The Wales winger was named on the bench for the recent Premier League defeat against Nottingham Forest, but made an impressive late cameo on a disappointing afternoon for Leeds.

James starred for Wales during the international break, setting up the only goal against Liechtenstein and scoring in the win over North Macedonia.

Now, Farke has criticised Jesse Marsch for his decision to allow James to leave, in a thinly-veiled dig at the current Canada manager.

Daniel Farke aims a dig at Jesse Marsch over Dan James

Speaking in his weekly press conference ahead of the game against Villa, Farke took aim at Marsch for his decision to allow James to leave Leeds on loan to Fulham in their relegation season.

According to Farke, one of his first decisions at Leeds was to ensure James was brought back to the club and included in the first team.

Farke said: “I talked about Dan James before. Everyone in this room knows there is no one in this room who loves and supports Danny James more than I do.

“On the first day, I walked through the door here at Leeds United. Someone had the glorious idea to send Daniel James out on loan, and he would not be good enough to be one of our five wingers for the Premier League.

“My first decision here was, no, no, he will be a key player for us, for our team, also for our future. I was criticised a lot, like in the last year I said twice, whatever, Jadon Anthony not playing more, Largie Ramazani or in the beginning even Manor Solomon or whatever.

“Because Daniel James always played and I always supported him, and he was more or less the first one on the team sheet because I know what he’s capable of and capable of doing.”

He added: “I watch him closely each training session. I know what he’s doing; he’s building some confidence and some rhythm, and the last two weeks, two times 65 minutes, were definitely also beneficial for him and will do me also many favours.”

Daniel Farke has to start Dan James against Aston Villa

The odds are stacked against Leeds at the weekend, as they look to claim a first win over Aston Villa at home in the Premier League in 22 years.

Although Brenden Aaronson was arguably one of the best players in the game against Nottingham Forest, Leeds lacked cutting edge and only looked dangerous when James came on as a late substitute.

Farke blamed jet lag for Aaronson’s poor display against Burnley. The American was a late arrival back at Thorp Arch, having played with the USA on Wednesday.

With James finding his form in a Wales shirt, Farke has to trust James to take his place in Leeds’ starting line-up when they face Aston Villa at the weekend.