Dan James says he always wanted to show his commitment to Leeds United in the summer.
James was speaking to the PA News Agency while away on international duty with Wales, where he discussed his start to the season back at Elland Road.
Having only arrived from Manchester United for £25 million 12 months earlier, James’ future at Leeds had looked all but over last summer under Jesse Marsch.
Despite starting against both Chelsea and Everton in August, Marsch deemed him surplus to requirements, and as such, joined Fulham on loan for the season.
James struggled to make much of an impact at Fulham and so returned to Elland Road in the summer determined to stay and show his commitment to Leeds.
James ‘feeling fit and ready’ at Leeds
Speaking on his start to the season, James say he is now ‘feeling fit and ready’ which he believes has contributed to his strong recent run of form.
He said: “It’s great to be back. As soon as I got back in the summer I just wanted to play and show that I was there to stay and work hard. We had a little bit of a tricky start, but we’ve had a good run of games and we’ve just got to keep pushing.
“It’s always harder when you haven’t played many minutes, not just physically but mentally as well. You need to get into the rhythm of games and I’ve got that at Leeds now. I’m feeling fit and ready and, when that happens, everything comes naturally.”
James may still be a frustrating player to watch but there is no doubting he has made a strong impact so far this season.
The 25-year-old has already provided four assists in the Championship, and also netted his first goal of the campaign in the 2-1 win over Bristol City last weekend.
There is certainly an argument that James does not get in Leeds’ best team when everyone is fit, but his output so far cannot be dismissed.
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