While Thomas Tuchel works to find a treatment for N'Golo Kante's deteriorating limbs, the Frenchman's heir-apparent is laying claim to the throne.
Chelsea's manager is right to look for methods to get N'Golo Kante on the pitch more often - it'll be crucial if the club hopes to make a meaningful title push next season.
Tuchel will almost certainly have to find ways to compensate for the midfielder's absences by relying on other players to equal his influence.
Reece James, who is built like a heavyweight boxer, runs like a 100m runner, and possesses the footwork of an old-school winger, appears to be the best candidate in the Chelsea dressing room to take on that mantle.
The England international has it all, and he closed Friday night's 1-1 draw with Leicester with a free kick as Tuchel looked for a winner. No one seemed more likely than James to supply it.
The 22-year-old was relentless as the most of his teammates appeared to be ready for the beach after such a long season.
Marcos Alonso's volleyed equaliser in the first half was set up by his sand wedge cross to the far post, canceling out James Maddison's opener, and in the final minutes, he was the one shifting between the front three and midfield to try to break down Leicester's deep-lying defensive.
James is Chelsea's greatest creative force when he's at his best, and Tuchel's primary issue with him is that he can't be everywhere at once. The German is already assessing the advantages and disadvantages of playing him out wide or in a central defensive three next season.
He can also play as a holding midfielder, and his ability to move the ball quickly could lead to him being used farther forward. With 14 less appearances than Mason Mount (16), he has the second most assists in the Chelsea squad.
If not for two significant hamstring injuries that kept James out for extended periods of time, the season could have turned out very differently. Tuchel has acknowledged this, but is wary of building up the youngster too quickly.
He also avoided direct comparisons to Kante, adding, "He has all it takes to be one of the best, but Reece still has a long way to go."
"He has enormous potential, and he possesses the ability, foundation, body, physique, and mindset to reach the absolute top, but he still has a long way to go." We will back him up. We'll put pressure on him to become that player for Chelsea."
The question is how much longer Kante can be such an important player for Tuchel, especially considering his chronic fitness difficulties. He has only started 20 league games this season because to knee and groin injuries, as well as two bouts with Covid.
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