Ferdinand claims new Leeds signing will cause ‘problems’

Will Ford
Rio Ferdinand Man Utd

Rio Ferdinand says new Leeds signing Daniel James will cause “problems” for a few teams this season.

The winger moved to Elland Road from Manchester United for £25million, having been close to signing for Marcelo Bielsa’s side in January 2019.


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James failed to nail down a regular spot in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side at Old Trafford and Ferdinand claims he wasn’t the “Man United standard”, but has backed the Welshman to be a big hit at his new club.

“They’ve been on him for ages, they’ve wanted this boy for time,” Ferdinand said.

“Listen, Dan James, I don’t think he’s Man United standard, but he’s definitely Premier League standard and the way Leeds play, he’s going to be a problem for a few teams.

“The kid in that team it will be getting the ball and getting forward quick, and that suits his game. When you have to break down two banks of four like Man United that doesn’t suit James’ game, he likes space. But yeah, Leeds United for Dan James will be a fantastic move for both parties.”

It’s a view echoed by his national boss Rob Page, who believes Bielsa is the man to get the best of him, given the “high intensity” he requires from all of his players.

James will likely line up in the red of Wales against Belarus on Sunday afternoon, and Page feels the winger’s move to Leeds will now bring out the best in him.

He said : “Everybody’s seen the ability DJ’s got. We’ve seen snippets of it at international level. He’s been first class for us. When you’ve got to a team like Leeds with manager like Bielsa, who demands high intensity for 90 minutes, he will always have that ability if you get him extremely fit.

“We’re only going to benefit from it. To have someone of DJ’s ability, getting into the 80th minute and not have to worry about substitutions because he’s got that resilience now in him and the fitness to be able to sustain that for 90 minutes, then we’ll get the complete player.”

Wales currently sit third in their World Cup qualifying group, level on points with Belarus, who they face in a key clash on Sunday afternoon.