There was a time, not so long ago, that Reece Lewis James (Redbridge, 1999) seemed destined to fight for the title of ‘best right back in the world’ and compete with Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold to be England’s ‘2’ .
“If I had to choose just one full-back, I would choose Reece James. He defends, attacks, is technically good, fast, handles both feet, excels at set pieces… He gives you a little bit of everything,” said Kyle Walker to the ‘BBC’.
”If I had to choose only one full-back, I would choose Reece James. He defends, attacks, he is technically good…
Kyle Walker
The truth is that the trail of James, which once sounded like a future for Real Madrid, was fading… due to injuries. The English international (16 games, 0 goals and 3 assists) has barely been able to play 17 games (802 minutes) between this season and last due to the repeated discomfort he suffers in both his knee and hamstrings.
“I haven’t had this feeling in a while”
It seems that, this time, it could be the charm for the Chelsea captain. After two months in the dry dock, James reappeared as a starter – he played only the first 45 minutes – in the FA Cup win over Morecambe (5-0) and dressed as a hero, coming off the bench, to rescue a point in Stamford Bridge against Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth (2-2).
The English ‘2’, 25 years old, replaced Lavia in the 56th minute and scored the tying goal in the 95th minute from a direct free kick. “I felt alone and frustrated. I’m very happy to help the team again. I haven’t had this feeling for a long time,” he acknowledged to the ‘BBC’.
I felt alone and frustrated, but I am very happy to help the team again
Reece James
He celebrated it with rage. It was no wonder. And Reece James had not scored since October 5, 2022, 833 days ago! His last goal was scored against Milan in the Champions League (3-0).
The really surprising thing was that it was James and not Palmer who took the free kick. “Reece and Palmer are comparable in free kicks. They are both very good. We are happy because we decided on him, he scored and, at least, we got a point,” reflected Enzo Maresca.
Reece James scores from a free-kick against Bournemouth.EFE
The ‘Blue’ coach trusts that this goal will help him re-emerge like a ‘Phoenix’ and leave his injuries behind: “He deserved it. He has gone through difficult times. The objective is for him to remain fit until the end of the season and help us in the way we want to play.
I felt alone and frustrated. I am very happy to help the team again
Enzo Maresca
James himself looks to the future with optimism. What’s more, he doesn’t rule out returning to England. Even less, with Thomas Tuchel, who had him at Chelsea, on the bench. “The coach knows my abilities,” he told ‘TNT’. Reece, it’s good that you’re back.