Chelsea: The offensive potential of the fullbacks is fearsome

Chelsea’s fullbacks can now provide a devastating offensive punch not available to Frank Lampard last season from the back edges.

The addition of Ben Chilwell, coupled with the emergence of Reece James, provides Chelsea with a formidable attacking duo from the fullback positions next season. Last season, Frank Lampard had Cesar Azpilicueta and James on the right with Marcos Alonso and Emerson on the left to choose from at fullback. He also had Tariq Lamptey in a cameo role at right back throughout the first half of the year; he was terrific, but he was allowed to leave the club in January.

In September, assuming all are healthy and fit—a big question given Chilwell’s injury—Lampard will have better options at his disposal. Chilwell, England’s starting left back, will surely start when his heel injury allows him to return to the pitch. He will be an immediate upgrade over anyone Chelsea used at the position last season, including Azpilicueta. The 23-year-old was brought in to the tune of about £50 million as Emerson will likely be sold to help finance the purchase.

The guess here is that Alonso remains a part of the squad as a solid participant when Lampard goes to a 3-4-3 set-up needing wing backs, where Alonso excels. What the Spaniard lacks in pace, he makes up in crossing ability and set piece mastery. Nevertheless, the two starters should be Chilwell and James; as such, they will make a dramatic difference this season for the club.

Chilwell adds nothing if not blistering pace to the left back position. Chelsea has not had that since the departure of legendary Ashley Cole, a master in attack. That pace alone will prove decisive at times for the forward progression of the ball with assets such as Mason Mount in midfield and Christian Pulisic on the left wing to assist. The thought of that attacking tandem has to be breathtaking to Chelsea fans—it’s a sizzling scenario on the left side. That’s just the beginning of the fun though as now, you look to the right.

Opposite the versatile trio on the left, Chelsea will have the emerging Reece James, a year older and more experienced to carry the position. James was explosive in the early part of the last season as he would barrel up the right side like a locomotive to outpace opponents and deliver masterful crosses to his teammates. But after the suspension due to the pandemic, James’ game seemed to change. He was far less aggressive and often truncated his drives up the right side, pulled up, slowed down the attack and passed the ball back. It minimized his effectiveness and it was a worrying sight for fans.

The plug seems to have been pulled on James’ license to run free up the right side and deliver those great crosses. No doubt, the youngster had some defensive deficiencies that needed remedy, but to nullify his natural inclination and amazing talent is a mistake. James’ forward-moving ability should not be curtailed by his having to overly worry about his defensive responsibilities. His crossing is too good and too valuable to be curtailed. Whenever he advances, others should be assigned his defensive responsibilities until the play is over. Negating James’ license to drive forward is restricting his greatest asset.

The tandem of Chilwell and James at fullback, combined with the nearly unimaginable attacking talent Chelsea will bring next season, is almost inconceivable. As it looks now, the Blues may just be equal to—or maybe even better than—their counterparts in the Premier League. Turn them loose and see what happens, it’s going to be a great ride.