[ad_pod ]
According to The Sun, Leicester are set to contest for the signature of Chelsea’s Reece James this summer.
What’s the word?
James was a star for Wigan this season, featuring at right back and also in central midfield for the Latics.
Spending the campaign on loan from Chelsea, he’s quickly become one of the most highly rated young English players around.
The 19-year-old has been hugely impressive and his stint in the Championship may be about to earn him a move elsewhere.
The Sun are claiming that Leicester are interested in his services and will battle it out with Manchester United and Everton to sign him.
However, given Chelsea’s transfer embargo they might not be too keen on losing the youngster.
Filling the Tielemans void
A right-back by trade, James has surprisingly caught the eye in midfield this term, looking at home when playing in a central area of the pitch.
James is undoubtedly a more defensive minded player than Youri Tielemans but he could fill the gap in the middle of the park that’s been left behind by the Belgian.
This season James made on average 1.6 key passes per game – albeit much of that delivered from the flank. That’s more than Tielemans managed at Leicester as he made only 1.2 key passes per match.
Considering his creativity it’s rather surprising that he’s bettered in that aspect by James.
Tielemans would regularly drop into deeper positions to pick the ball up and that’s something that James did well during his time in the Championship.
Brendan Rodgers has worked wonders with young players in the past and this could represent another masterstroke from the Northern Irishman.
Watch fans explain why the Football League is better than the Premier League in the video below…
Considering Ricardo Pereira’s position at right-back is a certainty, it makes sense to give James a role in midfield – at least for the time being. His prowess going forward when playing as a full-back could certainly come into play there too.
It’s clear that the Englishman wouldn’t be as devastating in forward areas as Tielemans can be, but should Rodgers look to play more conservatively, there is certainly a spot in midfield for James if he walks through the door.
