Reece James’ superb performances against Barcelona and Arsenal last week served up a reminder of the England international’s tremendous value to Chelsea.

Playing with a quiet air of authority and clear of injuries for the first time in years, the versatile Blues star is going to be a key man for his side when they look to get back to winning ways at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.

Enzo Maresca deserves great credit for James’ outstanding form in 2025/26.

Ever since he came in at the start of last season, Chelsea’s head coach has refused to take any unnecessary risks over James’ fitness, and it is now over a year since the captain picked up his last significant injury.

The club’s medical staff has also worked hard on changing his body shape, moving away from muscle mass, with a focus on making him more supple.

Consequently, his availability this season has been more regular than the previous five years.

A series of ankle, knee, and hamstring issues forced James to miss an incredible 743 days of action since 2019/20, during which he was unavailable for 145 matches.

James was last injured on 19 November 2024, picking up a hamstring problem that kept him out until after Christmas.

It is now over a year since he last suffered a setback.

Chelsea are now benefitting greatly from his quality, nous, and leadership, having managed his fitness and load carefully.

Chelsea’s central figure

Chelsea already boasts arguably two of the best young central midfielders in Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, but Maresca clearly regards James as of equal importance.

The 25-year-old usually starts at right-back, his natural position, but from that role he inverts to help provide Maresca’s side with added control down the spine of the pitch.

When James goes inside, it frees up the more attack-minded Enzo to push on higher up the pitch.

Seven of James’ nine Premier League starts in 2025/26 have been at right-back, but as shown on the heat map below from those games combined, he tucks infield a great deal.

He is still able to get forward to supply width and crosses, with the bulk of his touches closer to the middle of the pitch.
Maresca also likes to use James as an orthodox central midfielder.

The Italian started him there in London derbies against Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, as well as in tough UEFA Champions League assignments against Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

He also featured in that role against Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup Final.

“He can play in both positions,” Maresca said after the 1-1 draw with Arsenal. “He has been a fullback his whole life. He has also played as a midfielder. He can be good in both positions.

“When we decide [to play] him as a midfielder, we want physicality in the middle. It depends on the game plan, but he is doing very well in both positions.”

As shown below, James does more work in the infield inside the opposition half when he starts in a central midfield position.

More than just a duel winner

Maresca is right to point out the value of James adding physicality.

He produced an immense display against Arsenal, winning 11 of his 13 duels and five of his six aerial duels in a performance brimming with strength and determination.

James also ran the second-furthest distance of anyone on his team, covering 10.55km.

His cultured right foot is just as valuable to the Blues as his industry, though, and no other Chelsea player makes more passes into the final third or finds teammates with a higher frequency of accurate long passes than James.

The quality of James from set-piece situations will certainly help Chelsea against Bournemouth.

The Cherries have not defended corners or wide free kicks well, conceding nine times this way, the second-worst tally in the division.

A certain starter on Saturday—but where will James play?

James was an unused substitute in the midweek 3-1 defeat to Leeds United, but he is certain to start on the south coast against Bournemouth.

With Caicedo serving the last match of his suspension and Romeo Lavia injured, it is likely the England star, who turns 26 on Monday, will partner Fernandez in midfield, coming in for Andrey Santos.

Andoni Iraola’s side are physical, so James is ideally suited to providing the steel that has been missing in Caicedo’s absence.

If Maresca feels that his defensive excellence is better served at right-back, do not be surprised if James starts there either.

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo will need to be contained down the Cherries’ left wing, so that could be an alternative assignment for James.

The Chelsea captain is very much an all-rounder and is able to flit seamlessly between roles as this radar chart below confirms.

James is fitter than he has been in years and is showing signs of great maturity this season. He is enjoying a wonderful campaign.

The Chelsea academy graduate’s immense talent, mental toughness, and big-game intellect will be vital for his club this weekend and for the remainder of 2025/26.