Tuchel: Reece can play both positions brilliantly
THOMAS Tuchel has admitted Reece James is so good he would love to pick him twice.
Chelsea boss Tuchel conceded he cannot decide whether England defender James is better at right wing-back or right centre-back.
James missed two months at the turn of the year through hamstring trouble, only to be sidelined again with a recurrence in March.
Tuchel revealed deploying James on the right of a three-man defence has not only helped combat standout left-sided stars in recent weeks, but also helped keep the 22-yearold fresh.
“He can play both positions brilliantly, but we can only select him once,” said Tuchel.
“I think that the back three is a little bit less demanding physically, in comparison to the wing-back position and given that he comes back from a long injury, a re-injury over so many weeks.
“It’s a bit of an advantage to have him in the back-three because it’s less demanding physically.
“This is anyway the next step, how many games can he play as a wing-back, if he plays wing-back during a season, reliable on a level where he’s decisive.
“It’s a bit less demanding physically in the back-three in terms of accelerations, long accelerations and high speed.
“That helps us to have him on the pitch for more minutes, and that’s why he plays in there. So we need to decide, but that’s the reason at the moment.”
Asked which is James’ best position, Tuchel added: “I’m not sure. I love him in both positions I have to say.”
Chelsea will host Arsenal in tonight’s Premier League encounter where victory would push the Blues closer to a third-place finish.
The Blues must do without Mateo Kovacic, who will miss at least a fortnight with ankle ligament trouble. Callum HudsonOdoi remains sidelined with a back problem, but is on the road to recovery, while Ben Chilwell will not play this season in his rehabilitation after knee surgery.