Jamie Redknapp has praised Leeds United’s new signing Dan James, predicting his success at Elland Road this season.
Football pundit Jamie Redknapp has recently opined on Leeds United’s deadline day signing of Dan James. He believes the former Manchester United man could be an excellent signing for the Yorkshire giants as they look to push for European places this season.
James’s transfer to Leeds was finalised in the final hours of this summer’s transfer window, with the player having already completed medical. He was reportedly close to joining the Whites a few years ago, but the move did not materialise at the last minute, so his capture on Tuesday meant Leeds were second time lucky.
The Yorkshire club, though, had to spend a fortune of £25 million to secure the services of the Welshman. It has caused a lot of talk in the press and social media, with many believing that the club had grossly overpaid for the winger.
However, Jamie Redknapp, the son of revered English manager Harry Redknapp believes exactly the opposite. Speaking to Sky Sports, as quoted by Manchester Evening News, the 48-year-old said, “Yes, I think he’ll be a hit. I’m pleased for him actually because at a club like Man United the pressure is so much and every time he played there would be a player on the bench and there would be a player who could come on for him after 60/70 minutes and you could feel it got to him a bit.
James’ short-lived career at Manchester United was indeed far from perfect. In two years, the 23-year-old did appear in 74 competitive outings but had largely played a bit-part role for Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer, falling behind the likes of Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in the pecking order.
The summer arrival of Jadon Sancho and the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo was enough to convince Man United to cash in on the Welshman. Redknapp, though, is firm that the move can only benefit the player as well as Leeds United.
“But going to Leeds, a huge club, great fanbase, to work with a manager like [Marcelo] Bielsa who will take his game to another level and there will be more individual attention on him, he can be a bit of a star there. There’s a lot of good players in this Leeds side, I think that’s a really good signing for them,” he added.
Daniel James is currently with the Leeds United squad after completing his deal on Tuesday. He is likely to be involved in the action when the Whites welcome Liverpool on 12 September, after the international break.
