Reece James unsure on England role after training in three different positions ahead of Euro 2020
Reece James admits he has taken up three different positions during England training as the Chelsea defender waits to learn what role he could play under Gareth Southgate at Euro 2020.
James was one of four right-backs initially named in Southgate’s 26-man squad before Trent Alexander-Arnold withdrew through injury.
Ben White, predominantly a centre-back, came in to replace Alexander-Arnold, meaning James’ main competition for right-sided defensive roles remains Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker.
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Amid reports Southgate could switch to three at the back for their Group D opener against Croatia on Sunday, James said he has played at centre-back, right-back and wing-back during training.
“[I’ve trained in] probably the positions you can guess,” James said. “Wing-back, centre-back, right-back. I’ve played all three so far, so I don’t really know what’s going to happen or what position I might feature in.”
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He added: “I played right-side centre-back many times coming throughout the academy so the position wasn’t new to me.
“It’s much different to wing-back, you can’t really go forward. Wing-back you have the license to push on and join in attacks, but right side of a three you’re kind of limited to where you can go and what you can do.”
James also revealed he speaks to former England left-back Ashley Cole almost every week, with the ex-Chelsea defender part of the youth set-up at the club.
“He’s probably one of the best left-backs to play the game as well,” James said. “Even though he was a left-back the position is basically the same. He helps me a lot.”
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