Sport
Reece James Is Exposing Chelsea’s Weakness
There was a change in the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Until then, Chelsea fans had enjoyed Xabi Alonso’s brand of free-flowing, cavalier football. The Blues have started the season in strong attacking form. Defensively, though, Chelsea have been a soft touch and the 2-2 draw with Hull City provoked audible frustration.
Chelsea have conceded nine goals in just four Premier League fixtures against Fulham, Brighton, Arsenal and Hull. “We can do better. We got what we deserved,” admitted Alonso after the match, reflecting the growing exasperation of a fanbase tired of watching the same thing over and over again.
Hull found it easy to play through Chelsea. The promoted side were quick to go direct, putting the Blues under pressure with long balls forward. On another day, Hull would have left Stamford Bridge with all three points. They certainly had the opportunities to score more than just twice.
Reece James was one of many Chelsea players who struggled. Deployed in central midfield, as has become his usual position in recent times, the 26-year-old was frequently bypassed by a Hull City side determined to run over the top of Chelsea through the centre of the pitch. James, and Romeo Lavia next to him, had no response.
As a technician, James’ ability can’t be questioned. The England international is an exceptional manipulator of possession and has been moved into central midfield from right back to maximise his influence on the ball. Alonso needed a midfielder capable of dictating play from deep and James fits the bill in this regard.
Physically, though, James might not have the legs to play the position in the long-term. Injuries have seemingly taken their toll on the 26-year-old who doesn’t have the pace he once did. Opposition teams are exposing this on a regular basis. Alonso and his coaching staff have surely spotted this.
Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 shape puts a lot of pressure on the two midfielders at the heart of the team. The width comes from the wing backs with the two number 10s kept in an advanced area to prevent the centre forward from becoming isolated. The back three are charged with progressing the ball out from the back. This leaves the two members of the double pivot with a lot to do.
Moises Caicedo’s absence through injury is hurting Chelsea. The Ecuadorian is one of the best two-way midfielders in the world and so there’s a good chance he will give Alonso what he is currently lacking in the centre of the pitch. Otherwise, Chelsea might not have the right midfielders to balance out Alonso’s approach.
It was always unlikely that Alonso would fix everything about Chelsea in his debut season. The Blues finished a lowly 10th last season, missing out on European football altogether. Chelsea’s scattergun approach to the transfer market means their squad has some pretty big holes. Alonso can’t address them all at once.
Nonetheless, Chelsea’s defensive vulnerability could compromise their entire 2026/27 campaign. The forward line of Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer, supported by the runs of Pedro Neto from the right side, might be among the most potent in the Premier League, but it’s unreasonable to demand they score three or four a match to compensate for the goals being conceded at the other end.
James is Chelsea captain and has more than proved his quality at the elite level over the years. As a key figure in Alonso’s new-look team, though, he is struggling to come up with answers to the questions he, and the rest of his teammates, are currently being asked. James might not be the only problem, but he’s not helping either.
