Role of £25m Leeds ace should now be clear after last two matches, not good enough to start – opinion

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Leeds United are absolutely stacked with options in the wide areas this season.

Daniel Farke could face a task to keep them all happy with Wilfried Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville, Jaidon Anthony and Dan James all vying for two positions.

Gnonto and Summerville were the two handed starts in the 3-0 win at Millwall on Sunday, though against Hull City, Farke opted to replace the latter with the £25 million 2021 signing James.

However, Summerville was then brought on with just 20 minutes on the clock in East Yorkshire after Gnonto’s injury, with Anthony the only of the quartet yet to start.

It is unclear as to how serious Gnonto’s ankle problem is at this stage, but if there is one thing the last two matches have shown us, it’s that James should not be starting.

James’ role at Leeds this season clear after last two matches

As the game opened up at Millwall on Sunday, James was brought off the bench to good effect to help Leeds see out a 3-0 win, playing a key role in two goals.

His performance was then rewarded with a start on the right at Hull but he was largely ineffective and his poor decision making led to the break down of several attacks.

James did not attempt a single dribble, failed to complete any of his two crosses, and had four shots that never looked like troubling the goalkeeper.

Even if Gnonto is unavailable on Saturday, James should drop down to the bench with Anthony and Summerville taking the two wide positions.

There is no doubt James can still have a part to play this season, but it should only be as an impact sub as he simply isn’t better than any of Leeds’ other wingers.