Reece James can be Chelsea’s Trent Alexander-Arnold
England is blessed with a dearth of options at right-back at the moment with five of the ‘top six’ clubs in the country having an English right back in their squad. Reece James is the latest option at right-back after he has been given an opportunity at Chelsea.
The 19-year-old was solid defensively and played some brilliant crosses in behind the Lille defense and was probably unfortunate not to get an assist.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has recently set the standard for attacking right-backs in the country and on this evidence Reece James has proved that if given the time he can replicate Alexander-Arnold’s success to Chelsea.
Chelsea need to abandon Zonal marking
Chelsea has conceded an alarming 18 goals in 11 games this season in all competitions many of which have come from set-pieces. Lampard has gone with the zonal marking tactic which has been ineffective.
Against Lille, Victor Osimhen stole ahead of Tomori and Zouma and headed in Lille’s equalizer which was very similar to how Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino scored Liverpool’s second in Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat against Liverpool. Lampard might consider going with man to man marking rather than zonal marking if results don’t improve in the near future.
Kurt Zouma does not look comfortable playing out from the back
This is probably a much-known fact but the game against Lille has only highlighted the fact that Zouma should not be told to play out from the back. The defender looked uncomfortable throughout with Lille pressing high. Zouma was fortunate to be bailed out by keeper Kepa Arizzabalaga after he was pressured into hooking the ball behind which would have fallen to a Lille attacker if Kepa didn’t rush out of his line to clear the ball.
Zouma can play some good long passes but does not look assured when under pressure.
