Wales Duo Shining At Leeds United

If Leeds United are to bounce back and return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, it looks like a contingent of Wales internationals will have played a key role.

Joe Rodon and Daniel James have certainly enjoyed strong first halves to the Championship campaign this season and will be eager to continue that form in the business half of the season.

Leeds Finally Seeing The Best Of James

James’ Leeds United story has been a complex one to say the least but the speedster has been showing the Elland Road faithful what he’s all about this season. Leeds, who are 4/6 in the sports betting with Betfair to be promoted this year, attempted to sign James back in January 2019 before Swansea City pulled out of the deal at the final hour. Then Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa was to finally get his man from rivals Manchester United in August 2021 but it was a tricky start at Elland Road for the Welsh international.

Less than a year later, as reported by the BBC, James would be sent out on loan to Fulham, while Leeds parted company with Bielsa before slumping to relegation from the Premier League last season. With the opportunity to try and take the West Yorkshire outfit back to the head table of English football, James has taken on the challenge with both hands. The winger’s electric pace has never been questioned but this season has seen the former Swans star improve greatly with his final product. Scoring nine goals and providing five assists in his first 25 Championship appearances of the season, James has become a key cog in manager Daniel Farke’s side.

Rodon A Calming Presence

Leeds’ defensive woes were well documented during their time in the Premier League and the Whites were desperate for added quality in the heart of the backline. The arrival of Rodon on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur, as outlined by the Daily Mail, could prove to be one of the deals of the summer, as the Swansea man has been a calming presence at the back for Leeds. Looking like he’s been playing at Elland Road for years, the Welshman is one of the first names on the team sheet for Farke.

Rodon’s impressive form has meant there have been calls for his loan deal at Leeds to be made permanent. The 26-year-old has the pace to cope with wingers when the ball is in the wide channels and the physical presence in the air to deal with the numerous big strikers in the Championship. While also having a good passing game to start attacks from the back, it’s easy to see why Farke was eager to bring Rodon to Elland Road over the summer.

Rodon and James have been excellent at Leeds in the first half of the season and Wales fans will be hoping they can transfer that form to the national side as they look to qualify for the next World Cup in 2026. For now the pair will be focused on one thing, as they try and take Leeds back to the top flight at the first time of asking.