Following England’s 2-0 win over Andorra, Ian Wright and Roy Keane agree one Chelsea star must be in Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI.
An own goal from Christian Garcia and a Declan Rice header ensured England maintained their 100 per cent record in World Cup qualifying on Saturday.
The match at Villa Park didn’t deliver the inspiring, exciting performance Three Lions fans had hoped for however, and it is clear Thomas Tuchel still hasn’t found his best team.
Nevertheless, Wright believes Reece James should now be England’s starting right-back following a fine performance against Andorra where he kept a clean sheet and assisted Rice’s goal.
The Chelsea captain has been in-and-out of the national team for the past five years due to persistent injury issues and great competition in his position, failing to make the squads for the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.
Your ultimate guide to the football season
Metro’s football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it’s an open goal.
The likes of Kyle Walker, the now retired Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold have restricted his chances, with Tino Livramento and Djed Spence now pushing for a spot on the plane.
Tuchel knows James well from his time at Stamford Bridge and clearly wants to utilise him more, even deploying him a left-back to get him in his team.
Asked if James was now first-choice right-back, former England and Arsenal striker Wright told ITV: ”I think so, yes.
‘When you look at what he’s capable of doing, defending, passing. Even if he inverts and goes into the midfield, he’s comfortable there.
‘And we’ve seen that if he gets the time and space he can cross the ball and put it pinpoint. Defensively very sound. Absolutely, if he can stay fit, no danger.’
Fellow pundit and Manchester United legend Keane added. ‘He’s got great quality. We saw a brilliant ball in the first-half that Kane probably should have got on the end of.
‘The key now is staying fit over the next few months, get some games under his belt and get up to speed.
‘The good thing for England tonight is that some of these lads needed the minutes and it wasn’t demanding on them, so they’re well-placed for Tuesday.’
James will be hoping to add to his 19 caps when the Three Lions travel to Belgrade in a few days time before he returns to west London, with Chelsea taking on Brentford next Saturday night.
The defender also reserved praise for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliott Anderson who shone on his international debut against Andorra, telling ITV: ‘He is a phenomenal player. He fully deserves to be here, and he showed that with his performance today.
‘I have played against him and I can see what he can do in the Premier League. The toughest league in the world – I thought his call-up would come sooner.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.