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Reece James

This thread probably needs to be shifted from the reserves.



Looks an absolutely fantastic young player. 

 
Very interesting assessment in one of the nationals which suggests that James is more than likely  sooner rather than later likely to displace Dave at right back who in will resume his natural left back position.

 
Zeta said:
Azpilicueta is not a natural left back. He was moved there under Jose cos Jose wanted Ivanovic at RB
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Unpopular opinion but I didn't mind Azpi at left back.

His link up play on a minute by minute basis could have been a lot better but I think his end product in the final third was a lot better than what people make out (there was a spell early on under Hiddink where he was actively involved in about 8-10 clear goal chances in a month, and there was his work for Costa's winner at Anfield as cases in point). Weirdly out of every position he's played for us I think his supposed natural one has been his weakest (although that could be purely coincidence due to him playing his first season in England and a season he appears to have declined a bit physically there out of all his season's here).

While long term I want an athletic dynamic LB signed I actually suggested a James-Azpi combo long before the papers got a sniff, I personally think it's our best combo we can put out this season.

 
Zeta said:
Azpilicueta is not a natural left back. He was moved there under Jose cos Jose wanted Ivanovic at RB
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Ironically he started off as a forward and yes he was bought as a RB but at Chelsea he has played across the  back 4 or back 3. For me he was at his best when on the left.Didn't he also play for Spain on the left?

Personally I feel his best performances have been at LB indeed at this point in time  he is probably a better left back than either Alonso or Emerson and from everything I have seen a James/ Dave full back combination offers more stability and flair than any other combination.

This is going to be a season of evolution my expectations are as the season progresses that several of the ex academy players will feature some for the odd game others will get more game time for me once James gets his foot in the door he is going to be very difficult to drop .

Yes I rate him that highly and if he plays his natural game he will provide  not just the width that Tammy needs but also his ability to play cross field long ball to a hopefully super charged Pulisic which  will provide an incredible out ball that will cause panic in most PL defences

 
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terraloon said:
Very interesting assessment in one of the nationals which suggests that James is more than likely  sooner rather than later likely to displace Dave at right back who in will resume his natural left back position.
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Excuse me, what?

 
RIP Mourinho said:
His best position hasn't been at LB, his best position has been in a deep block with little possession. He'll struggle in a Sarri/Lampard type system regardless of where he is.
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The point being made by the journalist is that his place may well be taken sooner rather than  later by James.

The question then is is he a better option at that point LB than either Emerson or Alonso if in the opinion of FL he is then he will fit in as it is a position he is familiar with and some, you might not agree but others do, think that is his best or even natural position.

 
terraloon said:
The point being made by the journalist is that his place may well be taken sooner rather than  later by James.

The question then is is he a better option at that point LB than either Emerson or Alonso if in the opinion of FL he is then he will fit in as it is a position he is familiar with and some, you might not agree but others do, think that is his best or even natural position.
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His best position is CB where he doesn't have to enter the oppositions half.

 
He was very good at left back but a lot of that was down to not having to go forward so much. Basically great defensive assurance for Hazard and he wasn't relied on much for getting forward.

Allowed him to shine defensively and not get exposed or be out of position very often. That's pretty much my memory of Azpi as left back. He made the team a lot more solid than it would have been with other left backs there. 

 
GhostOfDembaBa said:
He was very good at left back but a lot of that was down to not having to go forward so much. Basically great defensive assurance for Hazard and he wasn't relied on much for getting forward.

Allowed him to shine defensively and not get exposed or be out of position very often. That's pretty much my memory of Azpi as left back. He made the team a lot more solid than it would have been with other left backs there. 
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He actually did some pretty decent things in the final 3rd especially under Hiddink, it was more minute by minute link up play in the middle 3rd he struggled with.

 
Telegraph reporting Chelsea have turned down 8(!) Premier League loans for James. 

I hope we keep him around. The quality is obviously there but his injury could be playing a part. You wouldn't want to put your player's fitness in the hands of another club. 

 
TheChelseaBlues said:
Telegraph reporting Chelsea have turned down 8(!) Premier League loans for James. 

I hope we keep him around. The quality is obviously there but his injury could be playing a part. You wouldn't want to put your player's fitness in the hands of another club. 
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Players on loan with injuries go back to Cobham for their rehabilitation. 

 
RIP Mourinho said:
His best position is CB where he doesn't have to enter the oppositions half.
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I think you are spot on here.  If we sell Luiz, I think I'd rather see Azpi as 4th choice CB, with James slotting in at RB (or just starting there altogether, whether Azpi is in at CB or not), and then loan out Tomori as soon as we can.

Looks like James has been added to the first team page on the official website, just a side note.

 
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