Merson says 23-year-old’s return will have significant impact on Chelsea

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Paul Merson said Reece James‘ return will complete Graham Potter’s back-three system, which he believes suits Chelsea more than a back-four.

Chelsea’s three consecutive wins; against Leeds United, Borussia Dortmund, and Leicester City, were all when they played with a three-man defence.

They have always been relatively solid this season defensively, having conceded the fourth-fewest goals in the Premier League, but this formation has also improved their attack.

The key, according to Merson, is the two wing-backs.

“Graham Potter has switched to three at the back and it’s working,” Merson told Sky Sports.

“It’s taken a while for him to get it right but it’s 100 per cent better than with four in defence.

“And he still hasn’t got Reece James. Ruben Loftus-Cheek filled in for him on Saturday and played well but when James comes back you’ve got one of the best of the business along with Ben Chilwell on the left.

“You’ve got to get your wing-backs high up the pitch and James and Chilwell are very good attacking players.”

Chelsea had to deal with both James and Chilwell’s long-term injury absences this season, which likely played a part in their overall poor season.

It might have also explained Potter’s previous decision to use back-four, since the alternative options; Marc Cucurella and Cesar Azpilicueta prefer to play as full-backs rather than wing-backs.

Loftus-Cheek has proved that he is versatile enough to play as a right wing-back, but as Merson pointed out, James is one of the best in this position, and his presence significantly improves Chelsea’s attack.

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