Three big questions: Chelsea’s Reece James and being heir apparent

2. Will he become the set piece taker with Anthony Barry’s arrival?

It is no secret that Chelsea and set pieces have really not been friends since Steve Holland left for England. It really is no coincidence that the Blues got worse and worse each season as the Three Lions suddenly became set piece masters.

This has come at roughly the same time Chelsea should have been packed with set piece stars. Willian and Marcos Alonso have nasty free kicks. Mason Mount is also no slouch. Given Reece James’ ability to whip in a near perfect cross, he should be seen as an option as well.

In fact, James was that option throughout his first season at Wigan. Almost regardless of the set piece, James was the man to take it. Often times, it resulted in a goal or at least a chance which is more than Chelsea can say in the last three seasons.

A large reason behind that was the coach Anthony Barry. Behind the scenes, Barry worked Wigan as a whole and James more specifically. He has to be seen as a big reason for the Latics’ success that season as well as James’ development.

Many fans cried for a “defensive specialist” coach over the summer. While there honestly is not really such a thing, Barry joining does offer another solid new voice behind the scenes. And while being a “defensive specialist” coach is a bit of a myth, a set piece coach is a very real thing.

If Anthony can come in and help Chelsea become masters of the dead ball, then he will have done his part. It is likely that he will look to build this around James who should already know the ideas and routines he will be bringing to the team.

Is this the season James returns to set piece duties? Does that bring him up a notch in the hierarchy? Time will tell.