AdminGary Rowett has acknowledged his surprise at Jthe foxes Star’ goalscoring return this season, though the Leicester City manager was keen to stress that the midfielder alone will not define their campaign.
James arrived at the King Power Stadium on loan from Rennes, with an option to buy believed to be in the region of €5 million, after Leicester fended off interest from Ipswich Town and Wrexham.
Since then, he has quickly established himself as a central figure, emerging as the club’s leading scorer ahead of Abdul Fatawu and Jordan Ayew.
Rowett, speaking in his press conference (10:00), praised the Welshman’s impact but admitted the broader attacking output has fallen short of expectations.
“I think he’s crucial.
I think when you look at him as a top scorer as an attacking midfielder.
It’s surprised me in some ways that the team has struggled to score goals when you look at the quality that we’ve got in the team overall and you look at the quality in forward areas.
Okay, we perhaps lack a certain different profiles in some of those areas but it does surprise me that JJ’s been so important in terms of because you know he’s been out there as a top goal scorer, but that’s what it is.
“That’s where he’s been. And he’s a player that I worked with before, so I know his qualities.
“I know the energy he can bring and the danger he can bring from those positions.
“So look, I don’t think it’s going to define our season, but I think he’s certainly a key player…”
James recently featured for Wales in their World Cup play-off, while Rowett has since played down concerns over his fitness.
With Leicester still battling near the bottom, the club will hope to secure his services permanently this summer.
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