Daniel James: What experts say about Swansea winger set to sign for Manchester United and loved by Ryan Giggs
Daniel James is having a medical ahead of his transfer to Manchester United.
The Swansea City winger almost signed for Leeds in January but now finds himself on the verge of a switch to one of the biggest clubs in the world, even if they are a bit down on their luck at the moment.
The 21-year-old starlet has continued to perform well for both club and country, scoring the winning goal in Wales’ Euro 2020 qualifying win against Slovakia.
And James also shone as Swansea beat Brentford 3-0 where his man of the match performance also brought him a goal – his third of the campaign.
The Welshman, who had also been Premier League giants Manchester City, is known for his lightning pace which has caused havoc on opposing defenders all season.
Signed from Hull’s academy in 2014 for £72,000, he followed in the footsteps of Joe Allen and Ben Davies by going from the youth set up to first team player when he made his Swans debut in the Championship draw with Birmingham in August 2018 under Graham Potter.
“I believed that if I moved here, I would have a great opportunity to improve as a player and a person,” he told the club’s official website.
But what do people in the game make of James?
Joe Allen – Wales team-mate
“I can only give you my opinion, I think he is ready for it,” Stoke City’s Allen said of a potential move to Old Trafford.
“He is a level-headed lad who has huge ability and I am sure he wants to show it at the highest level he can.
“I am confident he can do that.”
“He has had a great season,” Allen added.
“I remember even at the start of the year that was all the info I was getting from Swansea was that he had come on brilliantly.
“You go back to the start of the season and I don’t think it wasn’t that obvious.
“I think from the Welsh point of view, a lot of the lads knew him of course and knew the talent he has, but second half of the season he has been on fire there.”
Swansea Under-23 coach Gary Richards
“The minute we saw Dan, we saw his outstanding pace. The progression he has made over the past four years has been massive.”
John Hartson – ex-Wales international, in an exclusive interview with talkSPORT
“Dan James has got a bright future.
“He scored a goal in his second cap where he was starting on the left-hand side. He has ridiculous pace and played well against Manchester City in the FA Cup.
“He was almost out of the door and was up at Leeds signing for £10million and he brought him back.
“I think that will treble now with the market the way it is.”
Ryan Giggs – Wales manager
“He is a talent, and when you have got that raw pace you are a threat at any level.
“As a winger, you then have to develop the other parts of the game, which I feel that he is doing. He just needs to carry on doing what he’s doing for Swansea, it’s as simple as that.”
Meanwhile, he later said: “You don’t need to speak to me to see the quality Dan has, especially since the turn of the year. The break down of Leeds transfer could have affected him but since then he’s really kicked on.
‘I was at the Swansea v Stoke game and it was as good a wing performance as I’ve seen in a long time. He got two lads sent off and scored a worldy.”
And on a possible switch to Manchester United, he added: “If you go to United or any big club there is pressure on you. When you meet up internationally then you’re used to that pressure and there are so many benefits to playing at a higher level.
“As a manager you want all your players to be playing to a higher level as they can and their ability deserves.”
Graham Potter – Swansea manager
“I think he’d have been too quick for me. I wouldn’t have been able to get contact on him.
“Dan’s courage is incredible, to not only have the ability, but to ride the challenges. He’s a top player.”
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Marcelo Bielsa – Leeds manager on James’ move to Elland Road falling through
“He was coming to the club to be a possibility on the wings but as I said several times, with all the other players who play on the sides we can find the right solution.
“I can’t deny that he would have been another option for our offensive play but I don’t see the fact that he couldn’t come as an obstacle for us.”
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