Chelsea right back Reece James insists he has no complaints over missing games amid Thomas Tuchel’s squad rotation… hailing ‘very funny and passionate’ German boss
- Thomas Tuchel has enjoyed a flying start at Chelsea in all competitions
- Tuchel, 10 games unbeaten at Chelsea, is chopping and changing his line-up
- Reece James is still a key player but has had to accept being benched more
- The star has sung the German’s praises, insisting he doesn’t mind the switches
Reece James has been on the wrong end of Thomas Tuchel‘s willingness to rotate but the young England right back has no reason to quarrel.
Though their new manager is not afraid to bench key players, the upturn in results since he took charge has been superb — the latest a 1-0 win at Anfield on Thursday.
Chelsea are 10 games unbeaten under the new boss and playing like a team who are guaranteed to finish in the top four. On Monday evening, they face another big challenge when Everton arrive at Stamford Bridge.
Reece James is enjoying life under Thomas Tuchel, and is happy to forgo game time under him
James dealt brilliantly with the threat of Sadio Mane and Co in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Liverpool
The visitors come in off three consecutive wins, but Chelsea have come to life and James puts it down to Tuchel’s influence.
‘We were all on it against Liverpool and that showed,’ said James. ‘The game last season was tough and we lost 5-3 but this season shows you how far we’ve progressed.
‘He (Tuchel) is very funny and very passionate. He wants to win and that shows when he is on the sidelines, kicking and heading every ball.
He has been forced to accept being benched more often, but James respects the German
‘When you’re in a top team, you can’t always play. You have to keep working hard. He’s the manager, I have to respect his decisions.’
Hard work is what Ancelotti wants to see from Everton, as they return to the scene of an embarrassing 4-0 defeat last season. He regards that day as his worst at Everton.
‘I think we are better,’ he said. ‘We have more knowledge and more belief. We can compete against Chelsea.’
James broke into the Chelsea first-team under Frank Lampard like his fellow ex-academy stars