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Xabi Alonso details Reece James' flexible role in upcoming season

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 20, 2026, 2:35 PM

Last updated Aug 20, 2026

Xabi Alonso details Reece James' flexible role in upcoming season

Summary

Xabi Alonso addressed questions regarding Reece James' positioning for the upcoming season during a press conference on August 20. Alonso highlighted James' versatility, noting he can play effectively as a right-back, midfielder, or even in central defense. He emphasized the importance of James feeling valued in his role as captain. Alonso anticipates a balanced distribution of James' time across various positions this season, suggesting a dynamic approach to formation changes. The discussion comes ahead of Chelsea's next match, where team selection remains uncertain regarding players who participated in the World Cup.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Alonso praised James' flexibility and importance to the team.
•James is expected to play multiple positions this season.
•Alonso seeks a strong start for Chelsea in the upcoming match.
•Uncertainty surrounds the team selection for Chelsea's upcoming game.

Latest Updates

2:35 PMYahoo Sports — Alonso gives detailed answer to question about Reece James’ position this season

What they're saying

"
Xabi Alonso was asked about where Reece James will play most of his minutes this season, and he stressed the full back’s flexibility.If you enjoy Talk Chelsea coverage and want to see more of it, ad...
— Yahoo Sports

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