CHELSEA’S TALENTED Reece James registered his first Premier League start as The Blues defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 at Stamford Bridge last weekend to secure six consecutive league wins.
The result sent the Blues third in the Premier League table as the international break kicks in.
The 19-year-old sealed a sensational comeback against Ajax in the Champions League just days before the London derby. Chelsea pulled secured a 4-4 draw from being 4-1 down.
James’s goal saw him become Chelsea’s youngest ever scorer in Europe’s prestige competition.
Manager Frank Lampard rewarded James for his heroic display by gifting him the right-back spot against Palace.
James, who was rumoured to be high on Palace’s wish list to replace the departed Aaron Wan-Bissaka who made a summer transfer to Manchester United, was all action throughout the Palace encounter.
On and off the ball the promising teenager showed authentic glimpses of his potential.
For the entire 90 minutes he was more than a match for Wilfried Zaha, one of the league’s highly rated wingers.
Lampard said of his protégé: “I thought Reece was fantastic against one of the best wingers in the league.
“Reece dealt with most situations. He also joined in with the attack. We can see how comfortable he is with the ball at his feet, I was pleased.”
“I trust him (Reece) out of all the younger players who have been getting a chance this year he’s had his injury early season.
“And he’s got fit that little bit later, but he’s been training at a level and coming on a level where he deserved minutes today, he did brilliantly.”
Comments Form
2 Comments
He’s a very gifted young player now , a talent most premiership teams would love to see as their right back. Reece career in first team is now one week old and he’s made a dramatic difference , scoring that great goal in Champions League & a few days later bossing Palaces Zaha. Will Lampard drop Azpilicueta ? I doubt it, he being for many years one of the world’s best right backs, Lamps will find a way to play both. Azpi has already shown he’s just as good at left back. It is claimed by those in the know that Reece James has the class to play anywhere in defence or midfield, so no probs. I wonder how good James will be in a season or two ?
james divk #super solid