It’s only been a couple of weeks since Chelsea were humbled by PSG, both in Paris and in West London. Yet, Ashley Cole thinks Reece James is better than Nuno Mendes.
Liam Rosenior finds himself under intense pressure as Chelsea manager after four straight defeats in all competitions, losing twice to PSG in that run. The Blues were also beaten by Newcastle and Everton.
It’s not only Rosenior who is being questioned. Fans and pundits alike believe Chelsea need to improve at centre-back, in goal, and in other areas ahead of the summer window. Todd Boehly needs to spend again.
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Cole Palmer of Chelsea (L) celebrates scoring
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Plenty is going on at Chelsea, with the international break arguably coming at a good time for the Blues despite the 3-0 hammering at Everton. Meanwhile, Ashley Cole is making his way into management.
Reece James or Nuno Mendes? Ashley Cole has his say
Already, Cole has experienced the highs and lows of management, watching his Cesena side lose 3-0 on debut against Mantova but then beating Catanzaro 3-1, having gone behind to the Serie B outfit.
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If anyone knows about full-backs, it is Cole. The England legend is one of the best left-sided defenders to ever play the game and on The Overlap’s Tik Tok, Cole played a game of Winner Stays On.
When presented with James or Mendes, Cole picked the Chelsea skipper and explained his decision: “If I think about what I would like in my full-back, I’m going to go with Reece James.”
The former Arsenal and England man also picked Marc Cucurella over Liverpool’s Andy Robertson and Barcelona star Jules Kounde, as well as England and Man City’s breakthrough talent Nico O’Reilly.
There is no surprise that Chelsea are struggling without James
James is Chelsea’s best and most influential player. That might be somewhat controversial, but there is absolutely no doubting that right now, Chelsea are a much better team when James is in the starting XI.
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The England star, sidelined with a hamstring injury for the next few weeks, is able to dictate games from full-back and that says everything. It’s no surprise Thomas Tuchel sees him as first choice for England.
Even if he is not 100% fit going to the World Cup, James will be picked and wear the no.2 shirt. Without James in the last two games, Chelsea have shipped six goals and looked like they lacked any belief.
If Chelsea are to have a good end to the season and Tuchel is to taste success as England manager this summer, plenty hinges on James getting fit and up to speed as quickly as possible.
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