Largie Ramazani and Dan James will be competing against one another for a place in Leeds United’s starting XI over the course of this season.
However, Ramazani could not have asked for anyone better than James to help him settle in at Leeds after working with him at Manchester United.
The 23-year-old was a youth prospect coming through the ranks at Old Trafford while James was a first team player there and trained with him a few times before moving to UD Almeria.
It has not been too easy of a settling in process for Ramazani at Leeds as after just one appearance, several members of the squad were jetting off for international duty.
As such, he has not had much time on the training pitch with all of his new teammates, but having someone he knew previously will have helped him no end.
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Leeds star Ramazani on what James was like at Man United
James was actually asked about Ramazani in an interview recently about their time together at Man United, where he hailed him as a ‘great prospect’.
As such, Ramazani has now returned the favour in an interview with BBC Radio Leeds, where he spoke in depth for practically the first time since joining the club.
On top of claiming Elland Road has a better atmosphere than the Bernabeu, Ramazani also spoke of how Mateo Joseph’s goal against Hull City gave him ‘goosebumps’.
And his history with James was among the other topics covered, with Ramazani revealing how pleased he was the Welshman remembered him, and what he was like on the training pitch at Man United.
He said: “I did actually train with him a few times, Dan James is a great guy and was always the one that made sure younger players, when they came up, understood the drill or just let us know.
“He was always one of the first. I didn’t think he was going to remember me when I came to Leeds but he did and I am glad.”
James now a leader at Leeds
Leeds really do not have a massive amount of experience in their squad this season and so at 26, James is already one of the more senior pros.
Though quiet out on the pitch, James is clearly an important figure in the dressing room, with Liam Cooper even reserving specific praise for him in his exit statement.
Even with extra competition coming in his place, James has been happy to help Ramazani settle into his new surroundings, which is great to hear.
It will be interesting to see who Daniel Farke regards as first choice in those wide spots when everyone is fit, though.
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