Micah Richards is predicting that Chelsea star Reece James will be restored to the right wing-back position tonight.
Chelsea face Manchester City on Saturday night in the Champions League final.
It’s been a turbulent season as always at Stamford Bridge, but the current Blues team can write their name into the history book with a victory in the all-English final.
Pundit and ex-Man City star Richards has been assessing tonight’s showdown. He’s predicting that Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel will make a tweak to his starting XI.
James, 21, has started as the right-sided centre-back in a back three during the last three consecutive matches. However, Richards is convinced he’ll be pushed forward into his more common wing-back role.
Additionally, the England international has shown he’s also got the versatility to slot in as a midfielder.
“I expect Chelsea will play Reece James as a wing-back with Cesar Azpilicueta on the right side of a three-man defence. Phil Foden, who has come of age this season, will look to find the gaps that will leave Thomas Tuchel’s side vulnerable,” Richards wrote for the Daily Mail.
Reece James starting a proud moment for the Chelsea academy
James, along with Mason Mount, look like the two Chelsea academy graduates most likely to be included in the starting line up against Man City. It goes to show how effective the academy is.
Andreas Christensen, Billy Gilmour, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tammy Abraham are also first-team squad players to come through the youth system. They will all be hoping for some action against Man City.
Blues defender James looks fairly natural slotting in as a centre-back, but playing club captain Azpiliceuta there makes more sense in the final.
With James in at full-back, he can offer Chelsea so much in both areas of the pitch.
There is no doubt there will be periods of time where he needs to double up defensively. However, going forward he’s one of the team’s most creative outlets with his precision crossing.
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