Leeds United ace that Marcelo Bielsa loved is now leading in one key stat in 2025 – he’s the best in England this year

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Leeds have been in scintillating form in the Championship, with their attack clicking under Daniel Farke much like it did under Marcelo Bielsa.

Currently top of the Championship, fans are tipping Leeds for promotion at the second time of asking, having fallen just short via defeat in the play-off final in 2024.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	35	22	10	3	72	22	50	76
2	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	35	23	6	6	50	27	23	73
3	BurnleyBurnley	34	18	14	2	43	9	34	68
4	SunderlandSunderland	35	18	11	6	52	32	20	65
5	CoventryCoventry	35	15	8	12	49	44	5	53
6	West BromWest Brom	35	12	16	7	45	32	13	52

The Whites are far and away the top goalscorers in the Championship this season with 72 goals, and one player in particular has played a huge part in their goalscoring success – namely Dan James.

• READ MORE: Who will win the Championship Golden Boot race? Two Norwich City stars in the mix, as Leeds United man hits top form

Incredible Dan James statistic revealed for Leeds United

James has been among Leeds United’s best performers under Farke in the 2024/25 campaign. The winger is among the top goalscorers and highest assist providers in the division, having notched 19 goal involvements thus far (ten goals and nine assists).

It’s taken James some time at Leeds following a 2021 move from Man United, but he is now one of the best and deadliest players in the Championship. James was a somewhat divisive figure during his time at Elland Road during his first season, given his inconsistency in terms of decision-making with the ball.

He scored or assisted eight times in that campaign before leaving on loan for Fulham. However, relegation has seen a change in his fortunes, becoming virtually ever-present for Farke over the last two seasons in their pursuit of automatic promotion.

He has increased his volume of scoring and assisting with much greater frequency in the second tier as a vital cog in his attacking unit and, over the last year, he has become a real fan favourite but also someone who is seemingly appreciated by most managers to have used him at Elland Road.

James was also a regular during Marcelo Bielsa’s tenure, with the Argentine lauding the winger back in 2022, after two goals against Aston Villa.

“I am very happy for him. I sincerely value the contribution Dan makes to our game. That he scored is a lot better, but even when he doesn’t score he makes contributions for our offensive game to be profound,” (via the Wakefield Express).

Last season, he had his best scoring season of his career after he scored 13 and assisted eight from 46 appearances. This year, he is set to smash that total, which is underlined by his form since the turn of the year.

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Dan James’ stats are impressive considering Leeds’ attacking depth

It was always possible that he would thrive in the Championship since returning to Leeds, but he has become a key part of Farke’s first-team plans as the club fights for promotion to the top-flight at the second time of asking.

His form has been nothing short of remarkable, especially given that Leeds boast a wealth of options out wide at present. Leeds are the envy of most sides in the Championship in terms of both their quality and depth of wingers.

James’ energy and intensity have never been in question but he also has the most goal contributions this term. Following another assist over the weekend against West Brom, the speedy winger has 19 to his name, with two against Sheffield United last week.

He is sure to have a big part to play for the remainder of this season, and he has developed an excellent understanding and combination with Jayden Bogle, with James’ side in pursuit of glory and the Championship title.