“He’s just a machine” “He’s perfect” – Owen Hargreaves hails Chelsea star as ‘fantastic player’ despite draw against Salzburg
Owen Hargreaves, a former midfielder for Manchester United, praised Reece James as a machine despite Chelsea’s Wednesday 1-1 tie with Red Bull Salzburg (September 14).
The Blues secured a tense draw at Stamford Bridge as the England international started and played the whole 90 minutes for them. Graham Potter, who took over for Thomas Tuchel earlier this month, managed them for the first time in this contest.
James completed all three of his attempted dribbles, made three successful tackles, and won six of the seven ground duels he engaged in. In the 48th minute of the game, Raheem Sterling scored the game’s first goal thanks to his straightforward ball that freed Mason Mount up down the right wing.
Hargreaves commented on the game on BT Sport 2 (credit: Chelsea Chronicle) after it had concluded.
“Reece is just a machine down that right-hand side. He’s perfect.”
Rio Ferdinand, who was Hargreaves’ teammate at Manchester United during his playing days, went on to add:
“This is the difference maker for me; he can turn defense into attack, control that right-hand side all on his own.”
James was preferred by Tuchel down the right-hand side of his defense and that seems to be the case under Potter as well. He has played the full 90 minutes in all but one of Chelsea’s matches this season.
The only exception was when James did not travel with the Blues for their Premier League trip against Southampton on August 30. It ended in a 2-1 defeat for Chelsea.