Chelsea defender Reece James does not look like a player who has been out injured with a hamstring problem.
He started in Chelsea‘s 4-4 draw with Manchester City yesterday and put in a brilliant performance.
Reece James really shone in the first half. In fact, according to WhoScored, the right-back made five tackles in the first 45 minutes of the game, one fewer than the whole City team managed.
James’ attacking attributes are often spoken about and rightly so. Few full-backs are better than the 23-year-old going forward and he showed that once again in the City game, with it being his ball into the box that Raheem Sterling converted to put Chelsea 2-1 up.
The Blues could not hold on to their lead. Manuel Akanji’s header levelled things up just before the break, but it was still a really good first-half display by James and his team-mates.
Chelsea have one of the best defenders in the Premier League
When James is fit and on the pitch, you will find it hard to find a better defender in the English top flight.
His one-v-one defending is top-notch. He had no trouble dealing with Jeremy Doku, who has quickly proven to be one of the most skilful wingers in the Premier League.
If James had not got injured in August, Chelsea’s season would probably look a bit different right now.
Hopefully his injury problems are behind him because Mauricio Pochettino’s team just look like a completely different outfit when he is in the side.
There has been talk about City actually wanting James as they plan for life after Kyle Walker and after yesterday’s performance, it is easy to see why they would look at him.
But Chelsea have to keep hold of their captain. He may just be their most important player.
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