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https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/04/19/
tuchel-explains-his-reasoning-behind-playing-james-at-centre-bac

Tuchel explains his reasoning behind playing James at centre-back and
updates on Chalobah's availability

19 Apr 2022


Thomas Tuchel believes Reece James is just as effective for Chelsea at
right wing-back as he is in a back three, and the boss has explained his
thought process behind selecting him in the latter role recently.


https://i.imgur.com/F5jBezQ.jpg


James has lined up on the right-hand side of a back three in both of our
last two matches, against Real Madrid and Crystal Palace, and has looked
just as efficient despite his most prominent position over the last few
seasons being at wing-back.


The Cobham graduate was outstanding in controlling the threat of Brazilian
forward Vinicius Junior at the Bernabeu a week ago, and the boss cites
James's current fitness levels as one of the many reasons why he has been
lining up a bit deeper than usual.


'The back three is a little bit less demanding physically, in comparison
to the wing-back position, especially given he is coming back from a
muscle injury over so many weeks,' the boss explains.


https://i.imgur.com/ugqMHY7.jpg
The pair talk in Chelsea training


'It's a bit of an advantage to have him in the back three because it's
less physically demanding. But this is the next step. How many games can
Reece play at wing-back? If he plays at wing-back during the season on a
level where he is decisive, it is a bit less physically demanding in terms
of acceleration and high speed in the back three. This helps us have him
on the pitch for more minutes.


https://i.imgur.com/B6y4wdp.jpg
James shut out Palace's threat down the left side on Sunday


'He can play both positions brilliantly, we only have him once and we need
to decide, but this is why we have him there at the moment. I love him in
both positions.'


Chelsea's substitutes and non-starters from the FA Cup win against Crystal
Palace participated in an intense training game ahead of the Blues'
midweek Premier League clash with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.


One other Academy graduate that can play on the right of the backline is
Trevoh Chalobah. Our no.14 has not featured for the Blues since our
Champions League second leg with Lille in mid-March and Tuchel has
revealed this is down to the form of other players, rather than due to any
injury trouble.


'It's hard decisions at the moment. Maybe he feels as though these
decisions are against him but they are actually for other players. We
recently had Reece James playing in this position in the back three
because of his physicality and also his speed against key players on the
left sides of our opponents,' the boss says.


'Trevoh played a lot and has had a very good season so far. He had a
little dip in form some weeks ago, but he's back in full shape in training
now.


https://i.imgur.com/hrl8xFa.jpg
Chalobah battles with Loftus-Cheek in training


'We had a talk recently. I cannot prove it with game minutes, but he's at
the level where he was at the beginning of the season. It's impressive as
he has overcome a period where things felt more difficult for him, like
during the winter period where he made a few mistakes, and he wasn't a
comfortable on the pitch or as reliable as he used to be. This is normal,'
the German adds.


'Now he's back in full strength, now he needs to be patient as we have
Thiago Silva in shape, Andreas Christensen back from injury and Reece
James played in his position. There are the reasons. He's taking it very
well, he trains excellent. This is what we demand from him. He will see it
with minutes in the next matches.'

--


Hoddle: 'Matthew will be sitting up there looking down now and

loving Chelsea being winners. He'll just love Chelsea winning.'


--