Phillips: Bielsa now has new star man at Leeds United after surprise Raphinha move
Dan James has become Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa’s “go-to man” after Raphinha’s shock substitution, according to Kevin Phillips.
The 2000 European Golden Shoe winner, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 24-year-old has become Bielsa’s most trusted attacker even though he’s playing out of position.
James started his fourth consecutive game as a striker on Saturday as Leeds were beaten 3-0 by Everton.
The Wales international moved out to the right wing in the second half of the game at Goodison Park after Raphinha was surprisingly replaced by Tyler Roberts at half-time even though he was not injured.
Speaking to LUTV after the defeat (12 February), James conceded his side “weren’t at the races” against the Toffees.
Phillips suggested Bielsa’s decision to favour James over Raphinha on the right-wing speaks volumes.
“James is Bielsa go-to man,” he told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“Whether it be as a striker, a left-winger or a right-winger Bielsa plays him.
“The problem is, I don’t know what his best position is. If you are playing every week, you are not going to question the manager as to where he’s playing you.
“Yes, he scored a couple of great goals in the week but he’s not a striker in my eyes. He’s a winger. That’s where his trickery and pace are most useful. He is clearly not a striker. To get the best out of a player like him you need to play him out wide.
“It can backfire if you keep playing a player in different positions. For me, he is an out-and-out wide man.”
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