Chelsea legend Ashley Cole has been discussing one of the many talented players in his former club’s squad right now.
Of course, Chelsea are not doing well in the Premier League right now, currently finding themselves in ninth place.
They were also knocked out of the FA Cup last weekend by Manchester City.
Nevertheless, Mauricio Pochettino still has some very good footballers at his disposal, including Enzo Fernandez, Thiago Silva and captain Reece James.
Unfortunately for the Argentine, though, he has not been able to call upon James too often this season because of injury, while he is about to lose Silva. The central defender’s contract is up in the summer and his wife has hinted that he will not be signing a new one.
Ashley Cole suggests Chelsea star is complete
Cole knows a thing or two about full-backs, being arguably the best left-back the Premier League has ever seen.
The Chelsea legend has been speaking about how the role has changed since his day while telling TNT Sports how the likes of James and Trent Alexander-Arnold have mastered it.
“I felt the way I played, I was good defending my box, in the middle third I was good, in the attacking third I was decent, but playing with more width,” Cole said. “Now full-backs have to be good enough to play inside, be comfortable receiving with players behind them.
“I think I could’ve done that, but football has evolved and changed. Full-backs now, do they take more responsibility defending? No. But is that due to the effect of managers wanting them higher up? I don’t think it’s a bad thing to see full-backs going inside and overloading.
“You have to be better in all areas of the pitch. Technically, you have to be better than my generation of full-back, which you have to applaud and give credit to the top ones — Trent , Reece James, [Andy] Robertson, bombing up and down, and can do everything. [Destiny] Udogie at Tottenham I think is elite.”
Reece James the complete modern-day full-back
Cole is not wrong about James and his numbers often prove that he is a very well-rounded full-back.
For example, looking back at the 24-year-old’s performance in Chelsea’s 4-4 draw with Manchester City earlier in the season, it had everything.
As per WhoScored, James managed to grab an assist on the day, but he also recorded five tackles, more than any other player on the pitch.
The England international was a threat going forward but also did his job defensively.
