Leeds United fans notice a detail they don’t like about Dan James’ new contract, ‘seems a lot’

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Leeds United winger Dan James has penned a new four-year contract at Elland Road, having joined the club from Man United in 2021.

Leeds United have a number of players to tie down, and the 49ers acted quickly to agree a long-term contract for James. The Welsh winger had just one year left on his deal.

There is a twist in those negotiations, as we exclusively revealed. That’s because James is taking a pay cut to remain with Leeds past 2026 and to tie himself into a 2029 contract instead.

James had a contract on the table for a while, and retaining the 27-year-old was seen as crucial to next season, given how much experience he has in the Premier League but also for the fact he won the club’s Player of the Season award last year.

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Did Leeds hand Dan James a contract length of too many years?

In the eyes of some, it could be argued that James’ contract extension is the best business of Leeds’ window so far.

For others, it is a concern that he has been handed such a lengthy deal, and one which will take him into his 30s. Some may argue it is a reward for his hard work, but others aren’t so sure.

Others are concerned by his end product and whether four years is too long for him now he is a Premier League player again. One added: “Ok & a very good player if we go back down,but worried about his final product in the premiership,expecting at least 1 winger in better than what we have to up the standards.”

Others are more skeptical at the timing of the announcement, given that James and a new jacket are distracting from the lack of recent transfer activity, stating: “‘Put him in the jacket: that’ll distract them’”

The reaction to his new deal was met with positivity largely, but there were the odd negative post on Twitter/X, another said: “We know he’s gonna sign a new deal, we are waiting for decent transfers.”

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Dan James’ Premier League and Championship stats compared

Despite the overwhelming verdict being positive, there are fair concerns about how long-term a player like James is in English football’s top flight.

At 27, he is in his prime and that is when Leeds will hope to get the most out of him. Per LUFC DATA, James has more direct goal contributions than any Welsh Leeds player since Gary Speed.

The problem has more so been about stepping up a level, which James has more difficulty with. James has not started as many games in the Premier League, but his output has consistently been mediocre.

Leeds will hope that James can kick on now that he has a settled environment, but competition out wide is one of the strongest areas of Daniel Farke’s side.