Pat Nevin urges Chelsea to use Reece James as a midfielder
According to Express, former Chelsea player Pat Nevin believes that Reece James should be tried out in a midfield role. He feels that James has all the qualities to play in the middle and Thomas Tuchel should experiment by playing him there.
A breakaway star under Frank Lampard, Reece James was one of the many youngsters who made a name last season. He pretty much became the first-choice right-back, relegating Cesar Azpilicueta to the bench.
However, since Thomas Tuchel took over, he has changed up the system to a back three thereby rendering the right-back spot obsolete. Cesar Azpilicueta has been used as the right-sided centre-back while James and Callum Hudson-Odoi have shared duties at right wing-back.
Club legend Pat Nevin feels that James has the qualities to play in midfield.
“I will not be surprised if one day soon Reece James is asked to go into the deeper central role and that could free N’Golo [Kante] to step forward to close down high up the field.”
While James is no stranger to playing in midfield, he has only played in a deeper-lying role at Wigan and for Chelsea only a handful of times (h/t Transfermarkt).
Nevin does have a point in saying he can play there.
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James is a physical presence on the field never shying away from a tussle and often overpowers opponents. With opportunities rare for James, he should be tried out in a midfield role, just for experimental purposes.