Chelsea defender Reece James slammed by Jamie Redknapp for forgetting ‘the BASICS of football’ after he allowed James Maddison to run past him to score Leicester’s second goal: ‘I see players flying forward but jogging back’
Jamie Redknapp was critical of Chelsea right back Reece James’ poor defending for Leicester’s second goal in the Blues’ 2-0 defeat on Tuesday night.
An early strike by Wilfried Ndidi and Maddison’s composed finish just before half-time secured all three points for Brendan Rodgers’ side, while Chelsea continue to struggle and now sit a lowly eighth in the Premier League table.
James, who played instead of Cesar Azpilicueta in defence, was caught napping as Maddison strolled into the box and finished with aplomb to put the hosts two-up at the King Power – and ex-Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Redknapp insisted the 21-year-old must do better.
Reece James (far-left) let James Maddison sneak into the box and score Leicester’s second
Jamie Redknapp was critical of Chelsea right back James’ defending as the Blues lost again
‘I really like Reece James, great crosser but the basics of learning to be a right back are gonna be crucial,’ Redknapp told Sky Sports.
‘When you are a right back, Gary Neville’s first thought would have been what is the worst-case scenario? James gambles – you cannot gamble as a defender.
‘I’m not trying to dig him out, he is knowledgeable, but it is the basics of football – he walks, then jogs, then sprints because there is a panic.
‘It was a lovely finish from (James) Maddison but you should not get in that position.
Redknapp said James forgot the ‘basics of football’ in the move for the Foxes’ second goal
‘I see players flying forward but jogging back, too many times that happened. If he wants to get better, he needs to learn from this.’
Tuesday night’s result sees Chelsea nine points off top-of-the-table Leicester, with pressure mounting on manager Frank Lampard.
Chelsea have taken just seven points from their last eight games and Lampard said in the aftermath that his future is out of his hands.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard spoke about his future in the aftermath of Tuesday night’s defeat
‘It’s not my decision, that’s something that will always be there. You always understand some things are beyond your control,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘Things you can control are going again, lifting the players and working hard. That, I can’t answer.
‘It intensified for me a while ago – expectations at this club, right or wrong, are always high. I know we’re in a different position if you look at our squad today and the age in our squad, and look at the composition of our squad, it’s a new squad.
‘I keep talking about transition, but when you perform like that it’s normal that people ask questions.’