Paul Robinson is the latest pundit to comment to Football Insider over the emerging debate as to whether Everton should sign Wales international Dan James in the January transfer window.
The Merseysiders were recently linked with the Manchester United winger by Football Insider amid claims that he was being viewed as an ideal backup to Richarlison. However, pundit opinion has been divided over whether it would be a shrewd move.
Former England striker Darren Bent has claimed that James is ‘headless’ in a scathing assessment of James as he claimed he would not break into Carlo Ancelotti’s starting XI, although he did admit that the winger possesses ‘great potential’.
The 23-year-old has struggled at his current club, having started just three Premier League games this season, and has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford. However, he scored his first Champions League goal as a second half substitute in Manchester United’s 4-1 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir on Tuesday.
Robinson has now claimed that James would be a hotly-contested signing who would be in demand from a number of Premier League clubs – with the ex-England goalkeeper claiming that Leeds will revive their interest. He said of the 23-year-old:
He is really struggling to get game time at Manchester United which I am surprised by because he hit the ground running when he came in.
He is a young player that needs to be playing. You cannot just sit and train at Manchester United and think you will get your chance soon.
It would be a surprise but there could potentially be an opportunity to buy Dan James in January or the summer.
We have seen what he can do. Everton will be looking at him and I would not be surprised if Bielsa went back after him. We know that he almost signed for Leeds before United.
There will be a lot of clubs after Dan James should he become available.
Read Everton Verdict
Robinson may be overstating the ‘hype’ around James. Of course his attributes of speed can serve him well, but a lot of improvement needs to be made to fulfil his potential.
That being said, a loan move may serve as a good litmus test for whether he could succeed elsewhere.
