Certain Chelsea fans have been absolutely salivating over the idea that Reece James could replace Cesar Azpilicueta this season.
They’ve seen the Spaniard’s level drop off in the last 12 months, while the academy product tore up the Championship. Naturally impatient like most football fans, they want the successor to take over before the incumbent is finished.
There is one solution to getting them both in the team, however. Football.London have some interesting quotes from Azpi where he talks about training with James and just how much talent the young protege has. Of course when they first crossed paths, the Spaniard was playing as a centre back in a back 3 for Antonio Conte, and James would come and play in training as the right wing back.
“When he came he was already used to the way we play. After he arrived, I was playing as a centre back so he was training on the right next to me,” he explained to Football.London.
Now changing to a totally different system is unlikely to happen right now. But if these defensive woes go on for Frank Lampard, and he knows that he has several defenders well suited to a back 5, he might just consider making the move.
