Daniel James, it's the name on everyone's lips, plastered across news tabloids and websites internationally.
Only a year ago, the name Daniel James would've been recognised by only the most devout Swansea fans, as they recall from the far corners of their brains the teenager who scored a ripper volley on his debut in an 8-1 FA Cup win over Notts County.
So how did this young boy from the outskirts of Hull turn from unknown academy prospect to a top Manchester United summer target?
THE STORY SO FAR
Well it all stems from his zero to hero story in a breakout season for the Swans.
The talented attacker has gone from strength to strength since being included in the first team setup by innovative manager Graham Potter.
Potter's appointment during the 18/19 Championship season from Östersunds brought forth an injection of youth, with academy members and other young talents given the benefit of getting an opportunity in the first team.
This led to the constant presence of youth in an exciting Swansea side that finished in 10th position. The main beneficiary of Potter's innovation has been the 21-year-old James who has featured in a multitude of roles in midfield and attack.
Playing predominantly as a left-winger, James has also lined up on the right-wing, played up front as a centre-forward, tucked in behind at attacking midfield and played more defensive roles in both left and right midfield. The number 20 is clearly a versatile attacking prospect who can damage defences across the park.
In his 38 appearances (31 starts) of the 18/19 season in all competitions, James has scored 5 goals and collected 10 assists (2 penalties won). An exciting start considering it was his first hit-out at this level.
In the Championship alone James was a threat both in scoring but more importantly in creating goals. With a pass accuracy of 81%, James has recorded an impressive 40 key passes from his 33 appearances as well as 25 accurate crosses. Furthermore in reference to dribbling, the attacker has registered 44 successful dribbles and has been fouled 90 times at an average of 2.7 per game, the second most in the championship behind Jack Grealish, including two fouls inside the penalty area. When in front of goals, the 21 year-old has averaged 2.6 shots per game (16th in the championship) with 66 shots coming from inside the penalty area at 2.0 per game (4th in the championship).
James joined Swansea at age 16, moving from Hull City, the club he had been with since 8 years of age. Since his move he has steadily rose up the ranks of the academy, from the U18 side through to the U23 squad. In the 15/16 season at age 17, the youngster featured on the bench in an FA Cup match at Oxford. In the 16/17 season he also was on the bench for a Premier League match against Stoke City. Neither game saw James make it onto the field.
In the 17/18 season at age 19, James finally made his debut for the Swans in the FA Cup, where he came off the bench and scored a terrific first-time volley from the edge of the area.
It was only in this season's EFL Cup where James made his full debut on the 28th of August. The rest as they say is history.
However if he does make the much awaited move to the Red Devils, it would be his first playing in the Premier League. On the 20th of November 2018, James received his first cap for Wales under Ryan Giggs, and scored his first goal on the 24th of March 2019 in a European qualifier against Slovakia.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
As a player James has many strengths. The tricky winger is a master of dribbling, with his technical ability with the ball at his feet allowing him to manoeuvre through tight situations, as well as his blistering pace which he uses to power past defences.
His ability to hold on to the ball and dribble with such control and at such speed will be what Manchester United fans should be especially excited about. The only way it seems to stop James from blazing past defences is to scythe him down with a robust foul. Moreover his passing ability is one not to be forgotten.
As a player who likes to play a lot of short passes, his accuracy of passing, as well as his eye for an intelligent through ball or a cutting edge pass to put a fellow attacker through on goal is very impressive.
When lining up on his preferred left wing, James loves to cut onto his favoured right foot and either lay a dangerous pass or more excitingly have a ping at the goals, however even on the left-wing he has a keen eye for dangerous balls into the box. Despite having a dangerous right foot, the Welshman is talented with both feet, scoring a goal on his left and assisting many goals with his left as well.
Daniel James is certainly not the finished article. The winger will need to sharpen his finishing abilities but that will naturally come with age and experience. One area in particular he might need to work on is his defensive efforts.
As a young inexperienced winger, James can be forgiven for not being defensively minded, however if he makes a jump to the Premier League this area of his game will need to improve. Furthermore, standing at a mere 170cm (5ft 6ich) the Welsh international doesn't exactly have much aerial prowess, however this he makes up for in pace and intelligence.
Video Courtesy of MP10 Scout of Talents
WHAT HAVE THEY SAID?
Much praise has been heaped onto the 21 year old throughout his breakout season both from managers and teammates alike.
Swansea manager Graham Potter spoke after an impressive performance against Stoke.
He said (via Swansea City AFC): "Well I've run out of superlatives to be honest, that's his fourth game in eleven days, and his ability to run, his desire to run, his courage and then his quality, we are just lucky to witness it.
"(on being fouled) He's used to that it happens every week, but again his courage and desire for the team to do what he's good at, it's just nice to see a lad enjoying his football and obviously playing at a really good level.
"If you look at that performance, if you're being honest it's above the championship. We should all be fortunate to witness that type of performance from him, he's got that quality to top it all off. That was as good an individual performance as I've witnessed...I just thought that his overall performance was so good."
Again after an impressive match against Birmingham, Potter commented (via Swansea City AFC): "He's an exciting player, he's a player we've spent time developing, he's in his first season, breaking through into the first team. His potential is big. You can see by his performance today, he's 100% committed (and) he wants to carry on improving as a footballer."
Following a superb outing at Brentford in the FA Cup, Potter stated (via Swansea City AFC): "If you are talking about the ability to sprint repeatedly, its as high a level as you're going to see, he's got lots to work on but he had an end product as well today, and I thought he was sensational.
"The fee, the price, you can see why on that performance, the numbers are too low in my opinion. He's been incredible for us."
Subsequent to his goal against Slovakia in the Welsh National team, manager Ryan Giggs enthused (via FA Wales): "He's brought his club form into the international stage, (I'm) delighted because you know his overall game was fantastic but to top it with a goal was great. He was just a threat all day and he will be with that pace, but he's got much more as well. (He) can go either side, he is intelligent, he works hard (and he's) a great lad. I'm delighted that he got the winning goal because that's what you want, players playing regularly, playing well for the club, obviously Dan's doing that at the moment."
Teammate Nathan Dyer spoke on his teammate after a game against Brentford (via Swansea City AFC): "DJ was outstanding again today, (he) was a threat in behind with his pace, you know you've always got an outlet with him."
Fellow young talent Ollie McBurnie commented after a goal James scored against Birmingham (via Swansea City AFC): "He's used his pace to get in behind and it's a great finish from him and it just shows what he's about."
So clearly this diamond in the rough Daniel James is an extraordinary talent, and more invigorating, we have only seen the beginning of what could be a very illustrious and successful career.
So whether it be at Manchester United or anywhere else around the world, expect to see the name Daniel James dazzling the football community in the coming seasons.
