Graham Potter has been chastised for starting Reece James in central defense against Aston Villa..
Potter used a 3-4-3 formation on Saturday, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek starting as a right wing-back and James starting in the back three.
Pundit Tim Sherwood felt the decision was symptomatic of Chelsea’s poor performance and highlighted the increasingly unpopular manager’s struggles at Stamford Bridge, especially given the availability of central defender Benoit Badiashile.
“I’m not sure why Reece James isn’t playing as a right wing-back,” he told Premier League Productions, according to Metro.
Why is Badiashile on the bench and not playing? Because it strengthens it. Aston Villa appear to be a threat on the counter.
Ben Chilwell is their most offensive player. He’s given them the width, he’s playing high up the field; all they have to do now is force that ball in there time and again, and they’re just not doing it, as evidenced by their frustration. He has a good delivery and poses a threat.
This should be a threat on the right side as well, but it isn’t because Reece James is playing as a right-sided centre-back rather than a right wing-back.
“He has to be there for me because you’ve taken away a lot of what Reece James gives you in terms of offensive threat.”
Look at Loftus-Cheek on the right; if that’s Reece James, he’d be as high as Chilwell on the left.
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