Daniel James looked like butter wouldn’t melt after his reckless challenge earned him a red card in Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea - it’s hard to understand why he looked so shocked after seeing the replay. Did he get the ball? Yes. Could he have easily broken Mateo Kovacic’s leg with a dangerous and unnecessary follow through? Also yes.
This is a tightrope that the Welshman has been walking for some time, challenged to lead an aggressive press and force defenders into loose passes. Jesse Marsch’s pressing style is centred around committing to your man with no holding back, and if that means clattering into them or getting turned and taken out of the game then so be it.
James did it in April against Crystal Palace, flying in on Joel Ward with a late and high tackle which led to a coming together and yellow cards for both. He did the same to Tyrone Mings in March and he’s been doing so all season.
