Liverpool have been urged to pursue the audacious signing of Chelsea captain Reece James to upgrade Arne Slot’s defensive options.
Injury problems have plagued James in recent campaigns, but he has looked back to his absolute best this season under each Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.
The 26-year-old is currently recovering from a hamstring injury and is back running on the grass, but despite the recent setback there isn’t a questioning that James has been one among Chelsea’s standout players this term.
Such performances saw James rewarded with a brand new contract until 2032 last month, but there stays an air of uncertainty over the long-term way forward for several key Chelsea players within the wake of comments by Enzo Fernandes and Marc Cucurella.
Each players questioned the club’s decision to sack Maresca and its transfer policy, while Fernandez appeared to publicly court a move to Real Madrid.
And former Blues full-back Glen Johnson believes Arne Slot’s side should attempt to capitalise on that uncertainty and lure James away from the Chelsea project to Anfield in the summertime.
‘To be honest, given how versatile Reece James is, I believe he’d suit anyone,’ Johnson told Boyle Sports.
‘Because by way of his ability, he can do a job everywhere in the pitch. He’s a implausible player, but to have that versatility in your squad is invaluable.
‘He could fill in at left-back, play centre-half in a back three, or be a right wing-back or a midfielder. I believe he would genuinely suit any club, especially one going through a number of changes or coping with injuries.
‘Players like him are hard to seek out because I don’t think he would go to a club expecting to play 50 games at right-back, for instance. It’s not going to occur.
‘So, to have a player who can adapt and do regardless of the team and squad need, I believe lots of teams would want that option.’
Johnson continued: ‘I’d like to see him at Liverpool, that’s obviously. I believe he would suit Liverpool, probably more so than Arsenal.
‘And I believe Manchester United would probably want him as well. But Liverpool might be a excellent fit, to be honest.
‘We spoke concerning the right-back option with Jeremie Frimpong and others, but as I said, Reece isn’t going to go to a club and play a solid 40 games in a single position. He just isn’t.
‘So, to have him as an option, perhaps in midfield, especially since Liverpool are still in all competitions and could have so many games, injuries, and suspensions, I believe he’d be perfect.
‘Yes, I’d like to see him land at Liverpool.’
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