Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has been hesitant to introduce Reece James to the first-team, but surely now the player has twisted his arm to ensure he’s a regular player in the starting XI.
James gave a Man of the Match performance on the pitch in the season-opener and it seems like he’s going from strength to strength. The game against Brighton looked like it would be one of those similar days for Chelsea where the team will struggle to earn three points from an away game. But this time, it was the young fullback, Reece James who stepped up and unleashed an absolute screamer into the top corner.
Now, that's how to score your first @premierleague goal!@reecejames_24! 🚀 #BHACHE pic.twitter.com/ApoOTyg4aW
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 14, 2020
The goal restored the lead of Chelsea after conceding a rather soft equalizer from Brighton that should have been saved by the Chelsea goalie, Kepa Arrizabalaga. But needless to say, it was a superb shot. His teammates said that he has been trying these long rangers for a while now, coming closer and closer. It was just a matter of time before he would have found the back of the net.
Chelsea’s new signings Timo Werner and Kai Havertz arrived this season with a cost of more than £100 million combined. It was a quiet night for Havertz and a good one for Werner.
But it was James who rose to the occasion with a long-ranger and an assist to Zouma which helped Chelsea to earn the important three points. James has been playing for the Blues since he was just six years old.
He is a Chelsea academy player has become one of the exciting left-backs in recent times. He is also leading the weekly Power rankings charts with Mohammad Salah behind him.
The 20-year-old right-back is trying to cement his position as Chelsea’s main right-back. He has proved himself to be a dangerous threat from wide areas of the pitch. Moreover, there is a strong case to suggest that he’s the best crosser of the ball in Chelsea. This fact makes him eligible to try him out on set-pieces too as he can be good there.
The Englishman delivers crosses that have power and precision as well as a good shape without actually getting the ball out of his feet. This implies that he can provide crosses from basically anywhere of the right-hand side of the pitch. This certainly means the opposition defender cannot predict the crosses based on the body positioning and movement of Reece.
This spectacular long-range goal might have put the limelight on the young English fullback but his outstanding overall display deservedly won him the man of the match against Brighton. Several pundits consider Reece James as the potential successor for Cesar Azpilicueta.
Frank Lampard used James in the midfield area for a short period being aware of the fullback’s versatility.
Pat Nevin wrote in his column on Chelsea’s official website: “I digress. Jorginho went off, Cesar Azpilicueta sprinted on and Reece James languidly stepped into midfield and looked like he owned the area within seconds.”
He also spent his season-long loan spell at Wigan as a midfielder where he earned Wigan’s Player of the Year. That would be an option for him if he wants to break into England’s national team as Trent-Alexander Arnold has cemented his position in the team’s right-back position.
But right now, the England international is focusing on tightening his grip on the right-back position at Stamford Bridge. It won’t be long before he becomes a familiar face at Stamford Bridge in the coming years.
