Game of Numbers #41 – Reece James in central midfield

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Enzo Maresca might not get much credit for the time he spent at Chelsea, but one thing that he should be given kudos for is his use of Reece James in a new and inspired role in central midfield. James has endured several stop-start seasons through injury over the past few seasons, and sprinting up and down touchlines likely hasn’t helped his hamstrings and their susceptibility to seizing.

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He’s always been an incredibly dynamic, powerful full-back, but he’s also always been an incredibly intelligent one. For several seasons now, he’s had more of that Trent Alexander-Arnold poise in possession and passing precision than the touchline dominance of someone like an Alphonso Davies.

In fact, his role has been evolving for years. He notched 5 goals and 9 assists in a personal best 2021-22 season, but never more than two assists since. Partially to injury, and also partially to becoming more important in possession and defense than up and down the right as an attacking presence.

And like Alexander-Arnold, his potential in central midfield has long been theorized. But it’s not until this season that someone has actually done the thing that we’ve always said might work with a player of his skillset, and actually played that player not just as an ‘Inverted Fullback’, but as someone dictating tempo from a true starting position in midfield.

This has been brilliant in allowing Reece James to have a run of games as the Chelsea captain, integral to their eleven, almost un-droppable in a position highly contested with quality. It’s been Reece James at his best. The best he’s been in years, and the most he’s been able to play in years.

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The now 26-year-old has started the campaign with 2 goals and 6 assists between his 24 opening Premier League and Champions League appearances. That’s already the most appearances he’s made in a season since that fruitful 2021-22 year.

And some of the best performances in that time have come in central midfield, where he’s been able to combine many of the best traits that make Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo already such highly-rated footballers for the Blues.

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He’s got the passing technique and control of an Enzo, and the ball-winning, transitional, box to box mobility of Caicedo. Enzo and Caicedo are already seen as “all-rounders”, and very capable at what they offer. But there’s something powerful in the way that central midfield has simplified James’s game into what’s most important. With fewer attacking responsibilities and more emphasis on intentional positioning rather than reactive, constantly dynamic ones, James has been injury free all season.

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From this slot, James can act as a sitting, holding midfielder. He’s integral to transitions, forming a box-like structure with his fellow central midfielder.

He’s an intelligent ball winner. Never diving into tackles when unnecessary, but carefully selecting his moments to go to ground.

He’s never shy of winning the ball off anyone, whether it’s someone with the size and strength of Hugo Ekitike, or a player with the dynamism of Morgan Rogers. He’s bullish in his defensive approach, without really ever being at risk of crossing a harsh line.

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But undoubtedly, what makes the Chelsea captain so efficient from this position is his reading of the game. He’s great at picking up possession, seeing his options, and distributing the ball.

He can break lines, switch the play, find that first outlet in transition, and even pull off the difficult pass. It’s one of the reasons why I liked Bruno Fernandes from a deeper position at United this season. He’s similarly able to pick up possession deeper on the field and start to get the team ticking along in a way that others in the team can’t do.

This is pretty key to the way that Chelsea attack down the wing. They like to switch play early and often, and then get their wingers to go 1v1 at the opposition defense. This is how Pedro Neto likes to make his impact, and it’s often how Alejandro Garnacho can get himself into games and start to threaten. They need to be able to isolate opposition full-backs, which often requires a quick switch of play from one side to the other.

If it’s a more difficult pass like this one against West Ham, James finds a way to deliver.

If it’s the simple pass, James is also incredibly composed. And when the team finds themselves under pressure, he’s turned out to be quite confident in managing those moments.

From the recent match against Fulham, we see a great example. Here’s James picking up the ball and being surrounded by players in white, without great options further forward.

He dribbles the ball sideways to hopefully help his team change the picture. And as the pressure follows him, he swiftly and creatively, turns right back where he started.

Now he’s broken the pressure, and changed the picture for his teammate, who is off-screen in behind Antonee Robinson, ready to receive down the wing.

We’ve always known Reece James has tremendous crossing ability, can deliver a set-piece, and has bundles of creativity in the attacking third.

Now he’s been able to showcase that same talent in newfound ways – orchestrating attacks from deep, spreading play left to right, and playing nice passes through central channels. And it’s absolutely paying off in giving Chelsea’s captain his best season in years.

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So while Chelsea haven’t been brilliant lately, and Maresca’s time has only recently come to an end, there’s no fault that you can put onto their captain. In many ways, he’s been the shining light this season for the Blues.

It doesn’t have to be a forever thing. But for the time being, Reece James looks right at home in central midfield. Thanks for reading and see you soon!

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