Reece James put the world on notice with some tremendous defending. That was his sublime opening 30-yard free kick, which set the • With some measure of comfort, England coasted to a 3-0 win over Latvia in their World Cup qualifying match at Wembley. The 25-year-old Chelsea right-back marked his first international start in two years by scoring the opening goal. He took the opportunity after an injury ruled the much-discussed Trent Alexander-Arnold out of the squad.
Despite being limited to just 17 caps for England since his debut in 2022 due to a series of injuries, James demonstrated his prowess with a performance that drew praise from England boss Thomas Tuchel. Chelsea has been very deliberate with James’ minutes this season. The defender has only featured in 14 games in all competitions as the club continues to keep a tight leash on his fitness.
Tuchel's Praise for James
Former Blues gaffer Thomas Tuchel, who coached James at Stamford Bridge from 2021 to 2022, has long-campaigned to see the player’s quality recognized. Following England's triumph, Tuchel expressed his admiration for James' talent and recent form.
"There cannot be any doubt about Reece's quality, it's the highest level," Tuchel stated confidently.
Tuchel appreciated the need to remain in very close contact with Chelsea about James’ fitness.
"We were in close contact in the last weeks. We were clear he'd trained without pause and if he didn't play it was the choice of the club, protecting him. We knew he was in a good space mentally," he explained.
A Stellar Comeback
James’ past two playoff stints have served as a lionhearted validation of that resolve and his all-around aptitude. Alexander-Arnold had not long returned from an injury, but he still experienced a breakthrough moment on the international stage. He seized that opportunity wholeheartedly and did so much with it.
"When we called him up he hadn't had many games but it wasn't due to injury, they were just taking care and managing him. He looks sharp and in shape," Tuchel remarked.
He’s proven time and again that he can perform under duress, as illustrated by his impeccable execution on the free kick below. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel welcomed the signing, even labelling it “amazing.”
"I know the quality he has in that foot — it's amazing. He has every right to be happy and proud of his performance. He's in excellent shape," Tuchel added.
Managing Minutes at Chelsea
James has been an indispensable figure for Chelsea ever since breaking into the senior squad in 2021. Unfortunately, his time with the club has been ruined by chronic injuries for much of his career, leading the club to be careful with his minutes this season. Despite these challenges, James has shown resilience and skill on the field, reinforcing his value to both club and country.
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