Leeds could sign a bigger talent than James in a move for the “outstanding” EFL ace

Leeds United extended their place at the top Priority table after they drew 1-1 against Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road on New Year’s Day.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the Whites as they took the lead in the 88th minute through Pascal Struijk’s penalty, only for Danny Batth to equalize just 90 seconds later.

Fortunately, for Daniel Farke and his side, Sheffield United were then beaten by Sunderland and Burnley were held to a 0-0 draw by Stoke, which meant Leeds moved three points clear at the top.

The West Yorkshire side are chasing automatic promotion to the Premier League, after missing out on the play-offs last season, and will hope to bounce back with victory over Hull City this weekend, after dropping points on Wednesday.

Farke could use the January transfer window, which officially opened on Wednesday, to strengthen his squad over the next few weeks to ensure he has the best possible chance of leading the team into the top flight.

One of the Leeds players who provided moments of quality, but sometimes inconsistent performances, was the Wales international Daniel James.

Dan James’ performances this season

The former Manchester United striker ended the 2023/24 season with a return from 13 goals and seven assists in 40 appearances for the Whites, as they lost in the playoff final.

James had a moment to equalize in the final against Southampton at Wembley last May, knocking down a shot from the beam and he could have kept the dream alive if he hadn’t tried.

The Welsh winger has tried to provide more moments of quality in the Championship so far this season in a bid to help Leeds win promotion to the Premier League, and he has offered plenty.

To date, the 27-year-old doctor has scored a goal five goals and three assists in 19 appearances in the second division, 14 of which he started, showing that he was a threat as both a scorer and a goal creator.

However, there have been inconsistencies in his performances and James’ last two appearances for Leeds suggest why the club may be in the market to add another striker to the fold.

As you can see in the table above, the former Swansea man failed to produce a goal, assist or ‘big chance’ created in 109 minutes of action, losing the ball a staggering 28 times across those two spells.

With every game crucial for the Whites in their battle against Burnley and Sheffield United for automatic promotion, Farke may want more consistency from his forwards in the second half of the season.

Because of this, the German head coach could use the transfer market to create more competition for places, and there is one Leeds transfer target who could be an even bigger talent than James.

Leeds United interest in Championship star

Last month, journalist Alan Nixon, on his Patreon pageas transmitted from Leeds livereported that Leeds are interested in signing Burnley winger Mike Tresora.

It has been claimed that the Clarets outcast, who has not played a single minute in the Championship so far this season, has become a target for the Whites as they look to add more strength to their squad before the end of the January transfer window. .

The journalist revealed that it will be difficult for Leeds to get over the line before the deadline as Burnley could be wary of selling to one of their promotion rivals, despite not considering the player a regular at their promotion-chasing side.

Nixon said Clarets chairman Alan Pace would like Tresor to play for the team before they make a decision on whether to part with him this month, but it remains to be seen whether or not Scott Parker, who has opted not to pick him until now, will be ready use it.

Why Leeds should sign Mike Tresor

Leeds must, now, try to capitalize on this situation by signing the Belgian specialist before the end of the window, as he could arrive at Elland Road as an even bigger talent than James.

He hasn’t had the best time in England so far, with no appearances this season and only three starts in the Premier League last season, and did not have the opportunity to show the best of his abilities, due to the lack of minutes.

Farke could offer the 25-year-old star, claimed by former coach Michael Ribeiro has an “exceptional” techniquethe opportunity to play regular minutes in England for the first time, in the hope that he can regain his form for Genk.

Before moving to Turf Moor to play for Burnley, Tresor attracted attention with his sensational performances as an attacking midfielder or winger in the Pro League in Belgium.

As you can see in the table above, the creative maestro’s performances in the Belgian top flight in his final season of regular football were outstanding, with an incredible 24 assists – maximum in one campaign at that level in history.

These stats suggest that there is potential for Tresor to be an even bigger talent than James for Leeds, given his threat in the final third, with a similar return of goals but far more creativity in the upper half of the pitch to win games and consistently deliver quality in the second half season.

However, it is up to the club to do a deal for the Belgian dynamo and then Farke to get the best out of him, in a way that Burnley could not.