An exciting clash between two up-and-coming nations takes place this evening as Craig Bellamy and Jesse Marsch do battle. Wales against Canada, Marsch against a handful of Leeds players.
Bellamy has done a wonderful job in replacing Rob Page as Wales manager. After 11 matches, Wales have only lost once under the former Liverpool, Newcastle and Man City star, a close-fought loss to Belgium.
The game ended 4-3 and actually, came as a real positive even if it ended in defeat. Now, Bellamy will take on a Canada side also showing signs of improvement under former Leeds manager Jesse Marsch.
Just four defeats in 24 have come since Marsch took over at Canada, reaching the semi-finals of the 2024 Copa America. But it also sees Marsch form a reunion of sorts, with Leeds winger Dan James.
Canada manager Jesse Marsch.
Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images
Jesse Marsch was desperate to offload Leeds ace Dan James
Rewind to the summer of 2022, and Marsch had just kept Leeds in the Premier League on the final day. Whether it was the American, or the genius of Raphinha at Brentford, is a completely different debate.
That summer, £70k-a-week winger James was offloaded on loan to Fulham in the dying embers. Clearly, Marsch didn’t fancy him and wanted him replaced. Bamba Dieng almost joined, then Willy Gnonto did.
Interesting then, that Marsch spoke about James’ “commitment” during his pre-Wales press conference ahead of Tuesday night’s friendly between Wales and Marsch’s Canada, at the Swansea City stadium.
“Dan James is a great guy. A great player, really committed, a team guy. Very dynamic, high quality. I really like Dan as a person and as a player,” the former Elland Road manager said, about winger James.
Dan James running while playing for Wales.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
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Dan James form under Jesse Marsch, compared to Daniel Farke
James has been reborn under Farke, albeit in the Championship. Despite being shown the complete opposite of loyalty by Marsch while the American was at Leeds, he returned and gave his all for Leeds.
Farke has given James more license to shoot when previously, he might not have had the confidence to do so. It saw him nominated for the Championship Player of the Season award after 24-25 promotion.
Games Minutes Goals Assists Minutes per G+A
Under Marsch 15 918 0 2 459.0
Under Farke 87 5557 25 17 132.3
James is yet to do it in the Premier League for Farke after three games, and was only on the bench for Wales against Kazakhstan last week. On Tuesday night though, James can finally get revenge on Marsch.