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James return has been vital for Chelsea, says Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel says the return of versatile defender Reece James has given him vital tactical flexibility as Chelsea bid to finish the season on a high note.
James missed two months earlier this season due to a hamstring injury and was sidelined again with a recurrence of the problem in March.
Since the 22-year-old returned to fitness, Chelsea have looked more composed at the back and carry more threat down the right flank.
Tuchel claims James is so good that he cannot decide whether the England international is better suited to play at right wing-back or right-sided center-back.
The Chelsea boss revealed deploying James on the right of a three-man defense has not only helped combat opponents in recent weeks, but also contributed to keep his player fresh.
"He can play both positions brilliantly, but we can only select him once," Tuchel told reporters on Tuesday.
"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."
However, Tuchel must do without Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who will miss at least a fortnight with ankle ligament trouble.
James missed two months earlier this season due to a hamstring injury and was sidelined again with a recurrence of the problem in March.
Since the 22-year-old returned to fitness, Chelsea have looked more composed at the back and carry more threat down the right flank.
Tuchel claims James is so good that he cannot decide whether the England international is better suited to play at right wing-back or right-sided center-back.
The Chelsea boss revealed deploying James on the right of a three-man defense has not only helped combat opponents in recent weeks, but also contributed to keep his player fresh.
"He can play both positions brilliantly, but we can only select him once," Tuchel told reporters on Tuesday.
"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."
However, Tuchel must do without Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who will miss at least a fortnight with ankle ligament trouble.
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