James Justin Leicester City
James Justin, who joined Leeds United from Leicester City for an initial £8 million, has quickly become a key player in the club’s push for Premier League survival and their journey to the FA Cup semi-finals. With a wealth of experience from 99 Premier League appearances and an FA Cup win under his belt, Justin arrived at Elland Road as a seasoned professional. However, the right-back recently shared his surprise at the unique team dynamics he encountered upon joining Leeds United.
James Justin said: “The kind of squad they’ve built – everyone says it’s a good dressing room but it’s [also] not one where you say something to someone they take it to heart. I feel like that’s a good [thing]. As soon as I walked into the dressing room, I was a bit bewildered because obviously every team is different. The way they operate day-to-day also takes some getting used to. I felt here that everyone just got on with it, whatever the job was. And everyone held each other accountable to maintain this on and off the pitch. It is definitely something I wasn’t used to before.”
James Justin continued: “It’s nice he puts his trust in me to play all these different positions and do a good job in a few of them. It gives you more chances to play as a player but it’s also harder to lock down one position because you’re moving so often, which is also a difficult part of it. But I’m just happy to be out on the pitch at any time and happy to be helping the fight to stay up.”
James Justin added: “He [Farke] knows that I can play in a lot of positions and I think that is one of the reasons why they recruited me this season. Especially since we changed shape, there are more positions I can play now. Right-back, left-back, I can play both sides of the centre-back and wing-back. There has not been a discussion that ‘you have to do this in this position and that in that position’.”
Justin’s comments highlight the distinctive culture at Leeds United, where accountability and adaptability are key components of their success. Under the guidance of manager Daniel Farke, players are encouraged to contribute to problem-solving and are trusted to perform in multiple positions. This flexibility has been crucial as the team navigates the challenges of the Premier League season. Justin’s ability to play in various roles has not only provided him with more playing opportunities but has also been instrumental in Leeds’ tactical adjustments. As the club continues its fight for survival, Justin’s versatility and experience will be vital assets.
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