Brighton and Hove Albion boss Graham Potter backs Dan James to endlessly improve the longer the winger spends playing under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United, via Sussex Live.
Potter coached James for one season at Swansea City after handing the Wales international his first-team breakthrough. He hit four goals and nine assists in 33 Championship games in 2018/19, as his blistering pace tore second-tier defences apart to seal a top-flight transfer.
Manchester United paid Swansea £15m in 2019, but James failed to make the grade at Old Trafford. Ultimately leaving the club after two campaigns to join Leeds for £25m in August.
James has been a mainstay of Bielsa’s plans since joining Leeds, with 11 appearances from 11 games across all competitions. He has also started 10 times, but has only scored once.
The 24-year-old struck his first Whites goal last time out to put the Elland Road outfit ahead against Tottenham Hotspur. He also registered his only assist so far at Norwich last month.
Brighton boss Potter issues honest assessment on Leeds winger James
Brighton boss Potter has no doubt James will come good and grow as a player at Leeds under Bielsa. As his slow adaptation to the Argentine’s methods should not be a surprise.
“People make the assumption you move from one club to another and it’s straightforward. It’s never like that,” Potter said.
“You have to understand each other, get used to the different environment and what the new team requires. The one thing I know about Dan is he is an honest guy.
“He’ll try his absolute best, and Marcelo and his staff will help him understand what he needs to do to fit in their team. The longer he is there, the better he will get.”
James to remind Potter of his potential on Saturday?
James will hope he can offer Potter a reminder of his potential in person when Leeds visit Brighton on Saturday. The Whites lost 2-0 on their trip to the Amex Stadium last season.
Leeds, in fact, have not won on the road to Brighton since 2009 while both sides were in League One. The Seagulls have won five and drawn two of their south coast clashes since.
James, though, is unbeaten in four meetings with Brighton and will want to maintain his 100% win-rate now with Leeds. He did, however, fail to influence the scoring during his outings against the Seagulls with Manchester United, of which he only started two.
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