Chelsea captain Reece James has opened up about his new role in midfield, revealing that it’s not a completely foreign position for him. Despite being predominantly known as a right-back, James explained that he has experience playing in midfield from a young age.

The England international shared that his time in the midfield dates back to his early years at Chelsea, saying: “I played in midfield from U11s to U16s, and also during my loan stint at Wigan Athletic during the 2018-19 season.”

On adjusting to the role again, James added: “So, it’s not really new to me, it’s just a case of reminding myself of how to play there again. I’m enjoying playing the role and helping the team as much as I can.”

James, known for his versatility, also spoke about his academy days, where he had the opportunity to play in various positions. “I played various positions growing up in the academy,” he said. “If you speak to most first-team players, the position they are playing in now is probably not the one they started off playing as a kid. I enjoy wherever I play on the pitch.”

With his adaptability and willingness to take on new challenges, James continues to be a crucial asset to Chelsea under Enzo Maresca’s tactical system.

Do you prefer Reece James playing in midfield or as a right-back?