Reece James was a revelation for Chelsea last season at the right wingback position. He was trusted by Thomas Tuchel so much that the Blues’ manager played him at right centerback in one of Chelsea’s more important games of the season in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie against Real Madrid, as well. James was otherworldly for Chelsea and there is no other way to put it. He was key in ball progression, chance creation and even goalscoring. He scored five league goals, three less than center forwards Kai Havertz and Romelu Lukaku.
The Blues’ problems last season began when James got injured, as they did not have a player of his profile to take his place in the starting XI. Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta did well filling in for him, but Chelsea never quite got Azpilicueta to give it what James offered though. In total, Tuchel tried a lot of players in the role, including central midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, left winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and right winger Hakim Ziyech. The Blues cannot afford to make the mistake of going into the new season without a back-up, or competitor, for James again.
James ranked in the 97th percentile or higher for shots per 90, non-penalty goals per 90, assists per 90, expected assists per 90 and shot-creating actions per 90. He also ranked in the 92nd percentile for progressive passes per 90, progressive carries per 90 and dribbles completed per 90. Chelsea is not aiming to get someone to do what James does for the club. The England right back has to be unavoidably absent—but that’s near impossible to do—so it will be essential to have someone that offers close to what James can offer.
Here are three possible right back options Chelsea can pursue to reinforce the position: