Paul Robinson has labelled Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel’s decision to move Reece James to centre-back as ‘strange’.
Throughout his impressive young career at Stamford Bridge, and for England, James has primarily operated as a right wing-back.
However, in Chelsea’s 2-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday, Tuchel used the Englishman as a centre-back alongside Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
Robinson, a former England goalkeeper, believes the 22-year-old’s qualities are much better served on the right flank and called on Tuchel to reinstate James to his natural position.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: ‘It is a strange one because he gives you so much going forward. What he gives you in regards to his delivery, dribbling and range of passing far outweighs what you get from him at centre-half.
‘The only rational I can think of is that Tuchel possibly doesn’t think Azpilicueta is physical enough to be a centre-half in that game. There was going to be an aerial threat from Palace and maybe Tuchel took that into consideration.
‘Moving forward Chelsea need to get Reece James in more advanced positions on that right-hand side.’
Despite injury issues, James has developed the attacking side of his game at Stamford Bridge, scoring six times and making seven assists in 31 appearances so far this term.
Having broke into the Blues’ first-team under Frank Lampard in 2019, the defender has become a mainstay in Tuchel’s side and played a big part in the club’s Champions League triumph last season.
His quick rise in west London has gained attention from around Europe, with reports suggesting Real Madrid are interested in signing the defender after facing him in their Champions League quarter-final tie and see him as a possible replacement for Dani Carvajal.
With James a Chelsea academy graduate, it seems unlikely the club would be keen on letting the player leave. However, it is unknown if he is happy to continue playing out of position.
MORE : Real Madrid eye move for Chelsea’s Reece James this summer
MORE : Thomas Tuchel responds as Chelsea star Mason Mount issues FA Cup final warning to Liverpool
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