Photo by Scott Llewellyn/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Scott Llewellyn/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Since breaking into the first team squad under Frank Lampard, Reece James has been one of the first names on the team sheet at Chelsea. Under Xabi Alonso though, this path to starting is far less clear.
Despite a number of behind-closed-doors fixtures and a televised friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers, we are no closer to knowing what formation Alonso will play at Stamford Bridge.
The signings made this summer suggest a back three. Marco Palestra is an attacking-minded wing-back, while Maxence Lacroix’s Premier League experience has mostly come in that system.
Reece James has no obvious place in Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea
James‘ injury history has left him unable to regularly carry out the role of wing-back, something Alonso is aware of after reports of where he sees his position being in the side.
Reports from the time of the Spaniard’s hiring suggested he saw James as a midfielder, not too dissimilar to how he was being used by Enzo Maresca previously.
Sunderland v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Availability is the best ability, but a spot in the middle of the park is no guarantee either. Chelsea currently have Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia as options, not including incoming new additions Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco.
Fernandez has been strongly linked with a move away from the club this summer, but even if this happens Chelsea are expected to enter the market again.
Alex Scott and Adam Wharton are amongst the top targets at the club. Would they be willing to join a side who cannot offer a starting spot because of James and Caicedo? It feels unlikely.
James’ quality will assure him of some minutes, but finding a natural fit for him in the system which Alonso won the league with at Bayer Leverkusen is not easy on paper.
Reece James could face questions about Chelsea captaincy
The 26-year-old is the Chelsea captain, a decision which was criticised from the start due to his lack of experience at the top level.
We have already argued that James’ injury history should force the club to assess whether he is the best person at the club to lead the side.
There wasn’t a clear alternative before, but after the signings of Henderson and Danny Welbeck, Chelsea have the best examples of leadership in the squad since the days of Thiago Silva.
When fit and firing, no one comes close to James, but if Alonso elects to play a three-at-the-back system, James’ once certain place in the side becomes a lot tougher to justify.