Why I believe Reece James' best position would be as a defensive midfielder

Reflecting after Gareth Southgate used him there on Sunday for England

This isn’t a new thought I’ve had, and I believe many others have shared this view of mine for sometime.

Reece James as a defensive midfielder is also nothing new, he played there a fair amount successfully when on loan at Wigan Athletic before breaking into the Chelsea first team.

England manager Gareth Southgate has also selected him there on a couple of occasions, like he did again on Sunday night in their win over Andorra.

Southgate switched him from right back to defensive midfielder at half time, and the main thing I have always noticed whenever he has played in that position is just how comfortable and natural he is there. He really looks like he thrives on playing more central, he even looked good when Frank Lampard put him in there on rare occasions for Chelsea.

Chelsea don’t have a destroyer type defensive midfielder in the squad currently. They have Jorginho, who’s defensive play has been excellent since Thomas Tuchel arrived, but he is more of a ball-playing defensive midfielder rather than say for example, Declan Rice, who the club has been targeting for the different profile he brings.

Do we even need that type of defensive midfielder? Yes, I believe we do, even if we aren’t planning to use a four at the back formation that favours using a more traditional DM anytime soon, having one in the squad is certainly a great option to use if needed.

James would still need to learn and perfect the position but once he did, I believe he would be an excellent destroyer defensive midfielder.

People say playing him centrally takes away his excellent crossing ability, and whilst it does slightly, I believe the pros outweigh the cons.

Chelsea would need to sign a new right wing-back if this was to work by the way, or use the option to buy Tino Livramento back next summer. But losing James’ crosses would be all you lose.

I don’t see him as the best wing back, I feel he is rather limited in that role because he does not beat his man one on one. He certainly uses his pace to hit the byline like he has shown, but he isn’t the skilful type of wing-back who will beat a man or two down the line. He is more comfortable cutting in and finding a pass, going back to the right centre back, or hitting an early cross, which can work at times.

However, he is a much better right back in a back four than he is a right wing back in a back three.

But his assets - His strength, pace, tackling, reading of the game, being comfortable in possession, striding with the ball, vision, and ability to hit a good long range shot, are all things that would be utilised well as a defensive midfielder.

He can be quick on the recovery, and his defensive abilities will see him provide excellent cover for the back four/three. He is so strong on the ball and is comfortable receiving it wherever he is. He will also still be able to cross the ball when deep and a little wide at times if playing as part of a pivot.

I’m not saying throw him in ahead of N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, and Mateo Kovacic, I am simply saying that for me, I see James being a better long term defensive midfielder than he is a wing back for sure, and maybe even as a right back as well.

Simon Phillips