James doesn't solve our problems. In fact he will be hard to fit into the team
He can play as a mezzala, trequartista, secondary striker, and winger. Players of that ability are quite versatile, meaning he easily can play where Pogba played...but in a different way. Pogba's defensive responsibility was limited - he would track back, but I saw him jog a lot. He was given a ton of offensive freedom. James can play a similar role in a different way. Realistically, I see a conversion to 4-3-1-2, but here is some food for thought.
James as a Mezzala (CM) (per 90 minutes, all starts)
2014/2015 (15GP) - Tackles: 1.5, Interceptions:1.3, Blocked Passes: 1.3, Goals: 0.4, Shots: 1.6, Assists 0.7, Key Pass 3.2, Dispossessed: 1.1, Total Passes: 66
2015/2016 - (8GP) - Tackles: 2.2, Interceptions: 0.8, Blocked Passes: 0.7, Goals: 0.3, Shots: 1.8, Assists 0.7, Key Pass 4.2, Dispossessed: 1.1, Total Passes: 67
Pogba as a Mezzala (CM) (per 90 minutes, all starts)
2014/2015 (25GP) - Tackles: 2.4, Interceptions:0.8, Blocked Passes: 1.1, Goals: 0.3, Shots: 2.4, Assists 0.1, Key Pass 1.6, Dispossessed: 2.9, Total Passes: 51
2015/2016 - (31GP) - Tackles: 2.3, Interceptions: 1.3, Blocked Passes: 1.1, Goals: 0.3, Shots: 3.7, Assists 0.4, Key Pass 1.6, Dispossessed: 2.4, Total Passes: 51
You tell me? Who appears to play the Mezzala role better? I mean Pogba is slightly better on tackling, but not by that much, and James loses the ball less, is more clinical, creates more chances for his team mates, scores more goals, and is less wasteful. Interceptions/ Blocked passes appear to be a wash. James takes more touches than Pogba, meaning his has a greater role in possession. Really the only area that Pogba owns him are dribblings (he average~2-2.5x more than James, ~5 per game, where James is closer to ~2, and aerials, where Pogba wins ~2-2.5x more aerial balls.
This is all playing the same position, CM for all the analysis, off whoscored.
He'd be a better trequartista, but sticking James as a CM isn't suicide.