The Chelsea skipper has turned heads after a strong spell that pushed him onto the league’s shortlist.
Reece James Steps Up When Chelsea Needed Control
The West London club’s captain Reece James didn’t just fill gaps, he shaped the rhythm through a busy November. His shift into central midfield against Tottenham and Arsenal showed how much trust the coaching staff have in him. He played with a calm edge, broke attacks early, and kept the Blues ticking even when the pressure built.
The standout moment came in the showdown with Arsenal. During that game, Chelsea were a man down for long period of time. Instead of folding, James carried the tempo, won second balls, and pushed the team forward whenever the chance opened up. It was the sort of all-round display that sticks with fans, analysts, and coaches alike.
Our skipper.
Reece James has been nominated for the #PL Player of the Month for November. 👏
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 4, 2025
Versatility That Strengthened His Team’s Backbone
A big reason the Englishman is nominated for PL PLayer of the Month award is his ability to switch roles without losing influence. When Chelsea shifted him back to right-back for the games against Wolves and Burnley, he still looked sharp. He held his line, cut out danger early, and helped the team protect leads.
In addition, those matches ended with clean sheets. Given that, it says plenty about the group but even more about the reliability James brings. His mix of timing, recovery pace, and awareness gave Chelsea a strong base in three of their four league games that month. It’s rare to see someone handle two very different roles with such ease.
The award shortlist also features Harvey Barnes, former Blue Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jeremy Doku, Bruno Fernandes, Morgan Gibbs-White, Declan Rice, and Igor Thiago.
Author’s Opinion:
James deserves this nomination. His control, presence, and maturity lifted Chelsea when the squad needed direction. A win would simply underline the level he has reached.
As featured on Chelseanews.com