Reece James in centre midfield is one thing I’ve at all times been a fan of.
Granted, he is likely one of the greatest proper backs on this planet when match and on type, however I genuinely consider he might additionally develop to be among the finest defensive midfielders on this planet too, and he’s a profile we lack in a bodily sense.
James on enjoying in midfield: “I don’t resolve the place I play. It’s as much as the supervisor and the remainder is right down to us. I’m pretty used to the position and with time I’ll enhance.”
I’m really happy and impressed listening to that Maresca has at all times seen James as a midfielder, as a result of as you’ll all know, I’ve been saying that for years. I do know some reacted fairly negatively to Maresca saying this about James however for me, I’m a fan.
The one unfavourable about having James is midfield is you then take away his attacking risk and good crossing skill down the precise and likewise, in midfield he’s going to be extra combative which maybe dangers extra impression accidents.
Nonetheless, what it does scale back is muscular accidents as a result of in case you get him sitting in entrance of the again 4 the place he may be extremely efficient, then you’re decreasing the bombing up and down the flanks component that he has to do when enjoying as a full again.
And for Chelsea, having James enjoying as a defensive midfielder provides us a lot wanted defensive stability on transitions. If you’re asking James to stay then you may have his physicality and studying of the sport within the center. That is the profile we lack in midfield.
We all know he’s a battler and a troublesome tackler, and we all know he is an effective passer of the ball. However as confirmed in current video games, he’s additionally one of many few gamers who has a goal-scoring risk in our crew from deeper in midfield. James has that ‘Frank Lampard’ risk whereas he can arrive on the proper time to obtain the ball and rating from outdoors the field, one thing we lack.
So for me, I’m happy after I learn quotes like this from Maresca…
“I despatched Reece a clip when he was on vacation about how he is usually a midfielder. He has performed in full-back, central defender, so the primary goal for us is to maintain him match. If you watch a participant you typically want to make use of creativeness and picture a participant doing one thing. I watched a few of his video games when he was on mortgage at Wigan the place he scored a improbable objective from 25 or 30 metres. One of the best factor about Reece in the intervening time is he’s serving to the crew with management.”
James can be an actual goal-scoring risk if enjoying in midfield repeatedly.
I’m not saying at all times play him in midfield, I’m equally as glad to have him for granted again. However his stature and profile is precisely what we don’t have within the defensive midfield space. Not a nasty downside to have or option to need to make however the actuality is, earlier than we are able to even begin making selections like this about James, we simply want him match for a sustained interval in the beginning.
