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

3. Will Frank Lampard test him in midfield more/ever?

James finished his season at Wigan playing largely in midfield. Frank Lampard tried him there a few times late on, but never fully committed to the idea. The closest the manager got was tasking James to invert as a wingback and help protect Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho late this season.

Lampard has talked about a few players being capable of playing in midfield who are not really midfielders, but the closet he got with any of them was James. Even then, it was only fleeting glimpses or tactical shifts.

With Chelsea pumping their attack full of new, exciting, and direct talent, the Blues will need to ensure that their defense is not left completely exposed in the pursuit of goals. Towards the end of Lampard’s first campaign, the idea was to use N’Golo Kante as the holding midfielder while two more attacking eights pushed up ahead.

That plan worked until Kante’s fitness again became an issue. With Kante out, the Blues lack a player capable of playing that holding role behind two eights. If they are unable to find a solution in the market (such as Declan Rice), then Lampard must consider James for the role.

Like any positional switch, there will be positives and negatives. James will be guaranteed more minutes and he certainly has the ability to develop into a phenomenal holding midfielder. The downside is that it reigns in his attacking gusto, makes it harder to use his crossing, and it would require both first team right backs starting.

Still, it is an idea worth trying some days if Lampard does not want to switch to 3-4-3 and lose one of his many attackers.

What questions do you think need to be asked of Reece James? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!