Wales sensation Daniel James says Gareth Bale and Ryan Giggs are helping him hit the heights.
The Swansea winger is enjoying a stunning breakthrough season for club and country.
James marked just his second international start with the only goal as boss Giggs' side beat Slovakia 1-0 on Sunday in their Euro 2020 qualifying opener.
And he revealed afterwards that he is being mentored by Real Madrid superstar Bale and Manchester United icon Giggs — two of the most-feared wide-men in Premier League history.
James, who turned 21 in November, said: “It’s massive for me to learn from the gaffer and Gareth. They’ve shown me a lot.
“Gareth said, ‘Keep getting at the full-back.’ The gaffer also spoke to me before the game and said he picked me because of how I performed at Swansea. He gives us so much licence, especially going forward.”
James’s rich promise encouraged promotion-chasing Leeds to try to sign him in January for £10million.
The deal collapsed late on deadline day with the clubs unable to agree a schedule of payments, and the youngster has shown admirable maturity to knuckle down with Swans.
James admitted: “I got back to Swansea (after the Leeds move fell through) and the fans were great with me. Nothing had changed for me. It was about playing football and enjoying it, and that’s what I’ve been doing.
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"This time last season I wasn’t playing first-team football, but if you get your opportunity you can take it.”
Cash-strapped Swansea are trying to tie the youngster to a new long-term deal at the Liberty Stadium.
In the meantime, the winger is trying to finish the season strongly with Graham Potter’s men before returning to action with Wales who go to Croatia and Hungary in June for their next two group games.
He added: “There’s only about a month or so of the season left and it’s just about playing well before those summer games. It’s going to be tough, two away games in four days, but we’ll go into them having prepared well.”
