Stuart Dallas believes Daniel Farke is using Leeds United star Dan James in the wrong role

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Daniel Farke is failing to get the best out of Leeds United winger Dan James, even if he has hardly been given the chance to use him this season.

Dan James has played across multiple attacking and wide roles during his time at Leeds, covering both flanks and operating in central positions when required. He is also capable of operating on both flanks.

Which highlights a level of adaptability that should give any manager flexibility. That was demonstrated under pressure when he was used centrally under Marcelo Bielsa during 2021-22 due to injuries.

James did not just fill a gap in that period, he adjusted to a different role that demanded more physical presence and off-the-ball movement.

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Daniel Farke needs to find a way to get Dan James in his side

James has managed limited output, with no goals or assists and fewer than 500 minutes played. Injury has limited James, but so has Farke’s switch to a 3-5-2 system, lessening the need for a winger.

Those numbers reflect a player who has not been consistently used in a role that suits his strengths, particularly when his involvement is limited to isolated attacking phases.

When deployed narrowly, his pace and pressing become situational rather than constant, reducing his overall impact on games. That disconnect between profile and usage is central to his influence dropping.

Stuart Dallas has already pointed to the solution

Stuart Dallas told the official Leeds podcast says wing back is perfect for James: “Yeah, I think wing back is perfect, I think because your work rate is really, really good, but I think you can even play off a striker as well. I think that suits you too.”

That assessment directly addresses the issue, as it links James’ strongest attribute, his work rate, to a role that demands constant involvement.

Dallas also points to the option of playing off a striker, which aligns with how James was previously used under Bielsa. With Farke using a 3-5-2 system, James would get much more game time as a wing-back.

Both suggestions reflect a player who should be used dynamically rather than being restricted to a fixed attacking position.

Injuries and Wales form underline the problem

His season has been disrupted physically, as he was expected to return to training earlier in the year but had still not returned to team training months later.

That lack of rhythm makes it even more important to use him in a role built on instinct and physical output rather than consistency in the final third.

Despite those setbacks, he scored for Wales against Bosnia, showing he can still deliver when used in space. The result ended in frustration as Wales lost on penalties, ending their World Cup dream.

That contrast reinforces the issue, as James remains effective in the right conditions but is not being deployed in a way that reflects that at club level.

Farke has a player with proven versatility and elite work rate but is not using him in a role that reflects either, and once Dallas’ assessment is considered, that becomes increasingly difficult to justify.