Leeds fans left wondering what could have been following James wonder-goal

Leeds fans left wondering what could have been following James wonder-goalAn uncomfortable weekend for Leeds United got a lot more awkward after Daniel James turned on the boosters to run Brentford out of the FA Cup and send Swansea into the quarter-finals. This was preceded by both Norwich and Sheffield United winning handsomely as United dropped into third place in the Championship standings, albeit with a game in hand.

James’ superb solo goal would have come at a time where Leeds fans were just about coming to terms with not signing him on deadline day. The move broke down after Swansea moved the goalposts at the last minute, despite the player already having undergone a medical at Elland Road. The Welsh club played fast and loose with James’ future and any sort of cordial relationship with Leeds in the future, by not answering the phone to officially sanction the move as time ticked away.

James was sat in the East Stand at Elland Road upon hearing the news, and had to make his way from West Yorkshire back to Swansea to face a club that had given him the run-around. However, it must be said now that the 21-year-old looks to have cleared his head by putting the disappointment for the time being to one side after his display in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

James gave Swansea the lead in the 51st minute after he picked up a loose ball in his own half before prodding it forward and chasing it down just as Usain Bolt chased down gold in the 100m sprint at the Olympics. It was a sight to see, and you only have to look at how despondent the three trailing Swansea defenders were with about 30 metres still to run, to know that there was never going to be any chance of catching him.

The video of the goal itself has gone viral and if James was a secret before he certainly isn’t now. No one is suggesting that clubs sign players after seeing a clip of them scoring a wonder goal on Twitter, but it may mean the 21-year-old courts a bit more interest towards the end of the season. That would be bad news for Leeds United who would have hoped to be first in line come the summer.

Leeds were hoping to cash in on the perceived fire sale at Swansea and pick James up for a nominal fee, and after coming so agonizingly close to doing so, it will now be painful to see their target stealing all the headlines. Still, at 2/5 in Championship betting Leeds are still favourites for promotion to the Premier League and that may be the carrot they use to entice James to Elland Road.

The Swansea midfielder is under contract at the Liberty Stadium until the summer of 2020 after signing a new deal in 2017, but with only 12 months left on his deal come June 2019, the Swans may be forced to try and recoup a fee for him should he decide against renewing his contract and then leaving on a free.

After having his fingers so severely burned by Swansea, it would come as a surprise if James penned a new deal with the Welsh club and the feeling is that he is holding out until Marcelo Bielsa comes calling again. Leeds’ MD Angus Kinnear has already suggested in his programme notes ahead of Swansea’s losing visit to Elland Road that the Whites will go in for James again in the summer, so it may be a case of better late than never for United.