Reece James Chelsea fans
(Credit: Imago)

‘Reece James is done at Chelsea’ – fans react what happened vs Fulham

Jonathan Burnett
Jonathan Burnett

Chelsea fans are ready to see the back of Reece James after he “downed tools” early on in their 2-1 victory at Fulham.

James’ disrupted career has been a microcosm for the frustrations of Chelsea fans in recent years, with injuries limiting the 25-year-old to fewer than 20 Premier League appearances in the last three seasons.

The Chelsea academy product remains a popular figure with several sections of the fanbase who have yearned to see him play more regularly on the right-side of defence; without doubt his best position.

A return to both fitness and form this have seen James rack up 19 appearances in all competitions this term – more than he managed last season – as well as a successful return to the England setup.

However, Enzo Maresca’s continued use of James as a re-imagined midfielder has drawn significant criticism, with Chelsea fans aplenty questioning why the Italian stubbornly persists with this experiment.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media

Chelsea error costly as Reece James ‘bullied’ by Fulham

Maresca may be at the end of his tether at Chelsea in the eyes of many compared to the sympathetic James, but the Blues boss did at least start James in his preferred right-back position to face Fulham.

Ryan Sessegnon, however, showed James no such sympathy in the 20th minute of their West London Derby at Craven Cottage, barging him off the wall and driving forward to tee up Alex Iwobi’s opener.

FulhamStatisticChelsea
1Goals0
0.08xG0.16
1 / 2Shots on Target2 / 4
41%Possession59%
3Corners1
Chelsea were on top in the first half against Fulham until James’ costly error [Credit: FotMob]
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James was left crumpled on the turf as Fulham sprang forward to take the lead into half-time, with Sessegnon and Iwobi making clear that he’s still got some way to go before being back at his best.

Tyrique George and Pedro Neto’s late goals in the 84th and 93rd minutes may have turned the result on its head and back into Chelsea’s favour at the death, but James will know that the duo bailed him out.

Alex Iwobi of Fulham pictured during a Premier League match,
Credit: Imago

Chelsea fans finally done with Reece James – ‘Sell the crook’

James is still a prominent figure in the Chelsea dressing room despite his limited impact on the field in recent years, but his costly error against Fulham has seen the latter come fully back into focus.

Fulham’s opener led to an outpouring of criticism directed James’ way, with both the right-back and Maresca called “useless” by some fans, while others argued that Chelsea should “sell the crook”.

Another supporter offered the theory that James’ stock only remains high at Stamford Bridge due to the sympathy generated by his injury problems, arguing the Chelsea skipper is “incredibly overrated”.

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