‘Dictating games’: Rio Ferdinand highlights 22-year-old Chelsea player as integral to his side
Rio Ferdinand has praised Reece James by suggesting that he’s “dictating games” for his Chelsea side.
James, who’s a brilliant all-action defender, offers so much to the Blues line-up as a right wing-back. He can even provide cover as a centre-back in a back three, too.
The 22-year-old was rewarded recently with a new Chelsea contract after growing into a key player at Stamford Bridge, which is made even sweeter by the fact he’s a product of the club’s academy at Cobham.
Chelseas Reece James Signs Contract Extension
Rio Ferdinand praised Reece James
BT Sport pundit Ferdinand has been talking about the quality in full-backs within the Premier League, highlighting James alongside Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“The game in the right-back area has changed so much now. We see the likes of Cancelo, Trent, Reece James. These guys are dictating games and getting more touches than anyone in the game,” Ferdinand said.
For certain, Chelsea look a much better unit both offensively and defensively when James is on the pitch.
It’s not a stretch to say he’s the most important player in the team right now, but his challenge is to keep improving because he’s still so young.
With Graham Potter arriving last week as Chelsea’s new head coach, it’s a new task for all players to impress him and reestablish themselves in the best line-up.
Chelsea Travel to Zagreb in Croatia
James appears to be in and out of England’s best XI right now, so there’s a lot for him to play for ahead of the winter World Cup.
A lot of Chelsea supporters are intrigued to see if he keeps the same kind of attacking threat under Potter that existed under Thomas Tuchel. He scored six goals and made 11 assists in 39 games across all competitions last season.
