Reece James

[SirReginald]

How has this guy improved so much?

Pretty sure his dad should take a lot of credit for how he raised him and still continues to coach him on the side I believe.

 

[RooneyLegend]

He's not a full back, he's a wing back! Can't speak for other leagues but in the PL he has stiff competition from Cancelo.



TAA is still better going forward. I'd take James for his allroundedness (that's a word right?), but we are talking about a player who has had 15, 16, 9 and 8 (still counting) assists over the last 4 seasons. James is more defensively sound, but then again he has a 3 man defense to cover him.

No way, James is an elite goal threat in open play, something Trent isn't much of.

 

[adexkola]

No way, James is an elite goal threat in open play, something Trent isn't much of.

In terms of scoring goals? Maybe (let's see how the season plays out) but you cannot be saying that in open play TAA is a non factor. Dead play situations is part of the game too.

But there’s more to being an attacking FB than assists. Trent has a wand of a right foot but James seems more dynamic, he gets involved in play in and around the box.
I think Trent is one of the best crossers in Europe but Reece seems to be more. Chelsea aren’t making the sacrifices that Liverpool do to get the best out of James

They're playing 3 at the back!. If that isn't a sacrifice for a fullback then I don't know what is. Either way you make sacrifices for great players which is what TAA and James are.

James is more dynamic that's for sure, as some have mentioned he'll take Walker's place in England's team after the WC.

 

[WeePat]

A ripped hamstring sounds like a couple of months out.

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[Skills]

At least it's not torn

 

[adexkola]

Ouch. Hope he comes back strong, he was having a great season. Likeable player too.

 

[Dumbstar]

Damn. He's another Joe Gomez.

 

[duffer]

Ffs. James and Chillwell are so important to us.

 

[RooneyLegend]

Ffs. James and Chillwell are so important to us.

Yup, you guys are toast. Tuchel wi change the system if he knows what's good for him.

 

[WeePat]

2 months out.

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[Samid]

He's better than Trent.

 

[adexkola]

He is not better than Trent.

Great player though! Sorely missed.

 

[Righteous Steps]

He's better than Trent.

Not at all, he’s a great player though.

 

[Ibn Battuta]

I wouldn’t swap him for Trent. And Liverpool wouldn’t swap Trent for him either I presume. That’s the tale of the matter.

 

[padr81]

He's better than Trent.

No he's not. Not far behind him but Trent is an assist machine playing in a 4 man defense.
He may well end up better but right now Trent and Cancelo are the best full back probably in the world.

The real question is "How does Kyle Walker get picked ahead of both?".

 

[croadyman]

Makes a difference to this Chelsea team no doubt about that

 

[croadyman]

No he's not. Not far behind him but Trent is an assist machine playing in a 4 man defense.
He may well end up better but right now Trent and Cancelo are the best full back probably in the world.

The real question is "How does Kyle Walker get picked ahead of both?".

He's a highly paid member of the Southgate favourites club that's how

 

[Rossa]

No he's not. Not far behind him but Trent is an assist machine playing in a 4 man defense.
He may well end up better but right now Trent and Cancelo are the best full back probably in the world.

The real question is "How does Kyle Walker get picked ahead of both?".

Physicality. His speed and strength are such important assets. City would struggle with their high line if not for Walker on numerous occasions. His positioning is not the best, but one on one he’s great. Trent is terrible defensively, and James is most used to playing as a wingback.

 

[GMok]

No he's not. Not far behind him but Trent is an assist machine playing in a 4 man defense.
He may well end up better but right now Trent and Cancelo are the best full back probably in the world.

The real question is "How does Kyle Walker get picked ahead of both?".

Southgate favors an experienced, steady option. Walker's recovery pace is really good even at this age.
Also, for your team, Cancelo can play LB, so Walker plays RB.

 

[marktan]

Personally given the choice of all 3 of the James mention I'd take Reece James. He's the most well rounded and does everything to an excellent level. A bit like Ashley Cole.

Trent is a better fit for Pool because they have Robertson on the other flank that gives energy. Similar story between Walker and Cancelo, one provides play making and the other a lot of energy and runs.

 

[Rajiztar]

No he's not. Not far behind him but Trent is an assist machine playing in a 4 man defense.
He may well end up better but right now Trent and Cancelo are the best full back probably in the world.

The real question is "How does Kyle Walker get picked ahead of both?".

Only difference,he is playing with salah Mane and jota to assist and James have to be better in assist tally Lukaku,Werner and havertz have to score combinely more than minimum 15 tells different things.

 

[WeePat]

Personally given the choice of all 3 of the James mention I'd take Reece James. He's the most well rounded and does everything to an excellent level. A bit like Ashley Cole.

Trent is a better fit for Pool because they have Robertson on the other flank that gives energy. Similar story between Walker and Cancelo, one provides play making and the other a lot of energy and runs.

James and Chilwell compliment each other well too. Chilwell does a lot of the running Robertson does. Finds himself on the end of a lot of through balls and cross field diagonals whereas James functions more as an extra playmaker.

 

[padr81]

Only difference,he is playing with salah Mane and jota to assist and James have to be better in assist tally Lukaku,Werner and havertz have to score combinely more than minimum 15 tells different things.

Do you think he'd put up those numbers at Liverpool, honestly? I mean Trent is putting up never seen before numbers for a fullback.
In PL history only Baines, Le Saux and Robertson have more assists and even then Baines 53, Robertson 48, LeSaux 44 vs Trent 43 with 2-300 games fewer. He could well be no.1 by the end of next season and he'll only be 24 years old.
As a disclaimer people like Ashley Young, Valencia have more assists too but played a lot of games on the wing.

 

[Righteous Steps]

Only difference,he is playing with salah Mane and jota to assist and James have to be better in assist tally Lukaku,Werner and havertz have to score combinely more than minimum 15 tells different things.

No the difference is Trent is simply a more naturally gifted footballer, forget his assists the way he opens up the field with his passing on both feet is something James is not capable of.

 

[Rajiztar]

No the difference is Trent is simply a more naturally gifted footballer, forget his assists the way he opens up the field with his passing on both feet is something James is not capable of.

May be but he is not good as a defender and he can open space for salah and Mane who chase any thing. His effectiveness doomed when he played for England. So iam not sure if he is that gifted like you said he could be more useful for national team.

 

[giorno]

Trent is better compared to De Bruyne than James

James is fantastic though

 

[UsualSuspect]

Trent is better compared to De Bruyne than James

That's the thing though, say you had KDB - would you take the defensive hit and want Trent as well? Or if you're playing against PSG tomorrow with Mbappe on the left, I wouldn't want him at right-back over James. But in our system at wing-back, Trent would be amazing. James plays all the right side (RCB, RB, RWB) positions excellently.

 

[TheReligion]

He's a highly paid member of the Southgate favourites club that's how

England were a whisper away from winning the Euros. His club are a decent bunch I’d say?

 

[Ali Dia]

It’s a different gig playing in a back 5, you can really bomb on. James has been super impressive this season. He looks to have a very high level if he can stay fit.

 

[WeePat]

Trent 2.3k minutes
James 1.1k minutes.

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[giorno]

That's the thing though, say you had KDB - would you take the defensive hit and want Trent as well? Or if you're playing against PSG tomorrow with Mbappe on the left, I wouldn't want him at right-back over James. But in our system at wing-back, Trent would be amazing. James plays all the right side (RCB, RB, RWB) positions excellently.

Would rather have James and De Bruyne or Trent and Kante?

Liverpool are arguably the best team in the world. And they are built around Trent

 

[DWelbz19]

The stat there is impressive but FBref does it based per 90 for the last 365 days compared against all fullbacks in the top 5 leagues:

• James is in the 82nd and 92nd percentile for assists and expected assists at 0.18 + 0.19 per 90, very good stats.
• But Trent… he’s in the 99th for both, with an assist and xA at 0.40 and 0.35!

James is a really good fullback/wingback. Trent is a creative juggernaut. As Giorno says, those types of creativity stats are there to be compared with the likes of De Bruyne, Fernandes etc.

 

[WeePat]

The stat there is impressive but FBref does it based per 90 for the last 365 days compared against all fullbacks in the top 5 leagues:

• James is in the 82nd and 92nd percentile for assists and expected assists at 0.18 + 0.19 per 90, very good stats.
• But Trent… he’s in the 99th for both, with an assist and xA at 0.40 and 0.35!

James is a really good fullback/wingback. Trent is a creative juggernaut. As Giorno says, those types of creativity stats are there to be compared with the likes of De Bruyne, Fernandes etc.

Can you possibly refine those stats for this season specifically? Just interested to see where James comes in compared to Trent. This season feels like James coming out party as a proper offensive weapon.

 

[sullydnl]

Trent 2.3k minutes
James 1.1k minutes.

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Key difference is that James is massively overperforming his underlying statistics across that small sample size. For example he has 0.32 goals per 90 from an xG of 0.14, where TAA is returning at bang on his xG.

In other words those rate of returns are only sustainable for one of them.

 

[DWelbz19]

Can you possibly refine those stats for this season specifically? Just interested to see where James comes in compared to Trent. This season feels like James coming out party as a proper offensive weapon.

Looks like you can, but only against the rest of the league for 2021-22. It looks like the 365 days one compares against the rest of Europe's top 5 leagues to give a wider picture.

Reece James 2021-22 season:
Assists: 0.40 - 96th percentile;
xA: 0.27 - 98th percentile

Trent Alexander Arnold 2021-22 season:
Assists: 0.44 - 98th percentile
xA: 0.37 - 99th percentile

Here’s the link with the full stats: https://fbref.com/en/players/1265a93a/scout/11160/Reece-James-Scouting-Report

 

[giorno]

It's even more stark when you only judge this season

0.37 xA per 90. Highest in the Premier League. The guy is a monster. You can - and liverpool in fact *have* - build one of the very best teams in the world around Alexander-Arnold

Again, James is amazing, but seriously. Don't. Completely different players first, and completely different class of players too

 

[Dancfc]

The move to allow him to cut inside the pitch has been a gamechanger.

As a hug the touchline wingback/fullback he's solid but unspectacular but with the freedom to roam inside he's unplayable.

It's why (aswell as both growing up playing together) he works so well with Hudson-Odoi, Callum is one of the dying breed of wingers who likes to stay wide and cross so both suit eachother perfectly.

 

[TwoSheds]

It's even more stark when you only judge this season

0.37 xA per 90. Highest in the Premier League. The guy is a monster. You can - and liverpool in fact *have* - build one of the very best teams in the world around Alexander-Arnold

Again, James is amazing, but seriously. Don't. Completely different players first, and completely different class of players too

They're not completely different class at all. They're both world class, James is more versatile and a better defender but Trent is more creative. England are incredibly lucky to have so many top class right backs to choose from but these 2 are the clear pick of the bunch.

 

[giorno]

They're not completely different class at all. They're both world class, James is more versatile and a better defender but Trent is more creative. England are incredibly lucky to have so many top class right backs to choose from but these 2 are the clear pick of the bunch.

James is world class. Alexander-Arnold is a top 15 player in the world

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

It's even more stark when you only judge this season

0.37 xA per 90. Highest in the Premier League. The guy is a monster. You can - and liverpool in fact *have* - build one of the very best teams in the world around Alexander-Arnold

Again, James is amazing, but seriously. Don't. Completely different players first, and completely different class of players too

I don't think it's correct to say they're different class - I think it's entirely fair to point out that a massive part of TAA's value comes from dead ball situations and that James is in fact ever so slightly ahead in shot creation from open play in the PL this season (2.84 vs 2.83 per 90). This isn't to say that set pieces aren't important or that Trent isn't world class at them, but personally I'm not sure I would sacrifice the defensive solidity and ball carrying that Reece brings to the table.

Regardless both are world class and I actually think they could complement each other relatively well - I'd try Trent at RCB with Reece at RWB in a 3ATB system. You'd have the benefits of Trent's early and set piece deliveries plus James bombing on from the flank as a target, and on top of that Trent is actually a decent on ball defender but his biggest weakness is getting caught high up the pitch, so less of an issue as RCB.