Chelsea right-back Reece James is ‘too adventurous’ and ‘must learn to reserve his energy’, according to former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino.
Academy graduate James has made 11 appearances for Chelsea this season and played 90 minutes on Wednesday night as the Blues drew 2-2 with Valencia in the Champions League.
James who was on loan at Wigan Athletic last season has made an instant impact in the Chelsea team this season with Lampard even moving captain Cesar Azpilicueta to the left-back position in order to accommodate James in the starting line up.
But Cascarino believes that the 19-year-old can improve his defending and even blamed James for Valencia’s opening goal
He told The Times: ‘Reece James is a very exciting player who ticks all the boxes of the modern full-back in that he is capable of contributing both in defense and attack. ‘But he needs to learn when to reserve his energy. The right-back was at fault for Valencia’s first goal and also when Maxi Gómez missed a simple chance.
‘He is sometimes too adventurous. In second-half stoppage time, when Chelsea should have been settling for a draw, he was twice caught upfield when two counterattacks by Valencia so nearly brought a winning goal for the home team.
James became Chelsea’s youngest ever goalscorer in the Champions League last month when he scored the fourth goal after coming on just after half time in a thrilling 4-4 comeback draw against Ajax.
Lampard will have a selection dilemma ahead of their clash against London rivals West Ham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Reece James’ recent performances have put him firmly in contention to start as the right-back ahead of Azpilicueta.
