Reec is still out talisman however his legs cannot take him to where they once could. I can see his role being morphed into the unloved midfield type role. If it means him being on the pitch then I'm all for it.

In yesteryear he would have whipped half a dozen crosses into the box. Had a couple of shots from outside the box, scored or gone close from a free kick and got to the byline multiple times.

And against this sorry Manu team probably even more of the above.

He's still got a lot of elite level qualities but it's got to be different going forward in time.

Reece starting every game with a whippet of a RB/RW close by might be the answer.

If there's anyone who can put a cross in from the corner edge of the penalty area better than Reece I haven't seen him.

Edited September 22, 2025Sep 22 by OTL

15 hours ago, OTL said:

Reec is still out talisman however his legs cannot take him to where they once could. I can see his role being morphed into the unloved midfield type role. If it means him being on the pitch then I'm all for it.

In yesteryear he would have whipped half a dozen crosses into the box. Had a couple of shots from outside the box, scored or gone close from a free kick and got to the byline multiple times.

And against this sorry Manu team probably even more of the above.

He's still got a lot of elite level qualities but it's got to be different going forward in time.

Reece starting every game with a whippet of a RB/RW close by might be the answer.

If there's anyone who can put a cross in from the corner edge of the penalty area better than Reece I haven't seen him.

None of these issues are on Reece James though. It's clear his role is defined by Maresca, and anyone who doesn't comply is quickly punished.

He's not the player he once was and would be exposed if allowed or encouraged to play as before. It's disappointing but there's no returning to his former self his legs won't take him there week in week out. Something had to change.

Edited September 27, 2025Sep 27 by OTL

11 hours ago, OTL said:

He's not the player he once was and would be exposed if allowed or encouraged to play as before. It's disappointing but there's no returning to his former self his legs won't take him there week in week out. Something had to change.

As the Americans might say ... "baloney"

17 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

As the Americans might say ... "baloney"

I think it's spelled 'bologna'

Yeah even now I’m at the point where I am questioning if this is even the case of protecting James anymore.

Blueco doing the math and crunching the numbers. What is his book value figure?

9 hours ago, just said:

Blueco doing the math and crunching the numbers. What is his book value figure?

PURE PROFIT!!!!!!!!

He’s such a massive part of our season this year and I’m loving every minute of it.

I felt really proud of him, just the way he oozes confidence every time he gets the ball. It really doesn’t matter where he plays, right back, central midfield, centre back, he’ll play anywhere and he wouldn’t look out of place.

He’s playing such a crucial part for us and it’s really nice to see, especially after a few years of endless injuries. Long may it continue!

6 hours ago, GarnachoCheese said:

He did all of that whilst looking pretty leggy throughout.

45 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

He did all of that whilst looking pretty leggy throughout.

It's all that ink in his right leg, he's out of synch.

I love Reece, I wish he'd get voted POTY, but he'll only stand a chance if he can stay fit an entire season and Caicedo somehow disappears.

Amazing that a few dolts were wanting him subbed as he was "a liabilty".....I weep for the lack of understanding in a certain type of "fan".

46 minutes ago, dkw said:

Amazing that a few dolts were wanting him subbed as he was "a liabilty".....I weep for the lack of understanding in a certain type of "fan".

Even worse there were plenty on here that wanted him sold a year ago. Reece James is worth every penny we pay him, even if it’s only 25 games a season.

Performances like yesterday are exactly why any calls to get rid of him were idiotic. He might not play every week but he's a big match player, that version of Reece is still the best RB in the world, and a pretty handy CB to go with it.

3 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

He did all of that whilst looking pretty leggy throughout.

He can look leggy if he can play the types of balls that make commentators gasp. The equivalent of rope a dope methinks in football... Honestly not seen an array of passing since we played Hoddle or Gullet as a sweeper. He was seriously impressive yesterday. If he is working with phiscal limitations then he's certainly adapting to them.

People rave on abot TAA who's now at Madrid but Reece James is twice the player and having to guide a really young side. Club legend.

Withdraws from England camp with an injury.

He didn’t seem injured in the Liverpool game? Wonder if it’s one of those “injuries” players get around international breaks.

2 minutes ago, DukesOfHazard said:

He didn’t seem injured in the Liverpool game? Wonder if it’s one of those “injuries” players get around international breaks.

By all accounts it seems precautionary.

He played three 90min PL matches in a row in a variety of positions. He also suffered a bad gash on his leg at the end of the Liverpool match too.

Tucheliban would definitely have been playing him in back to back 90 minutes so this is a blessing in disguise.

15 minutes ago, GarnachoCheese said:

Tucheliban would definitely have been playing him in back to back 90 minutes so this is a blessing in disguise.

Only if it’s not the start of another 4 month injury

2 minutes ago, charierre said:

Only if it’s not the start of another 4 month injury

He seemed fine on match day, i'm sure he'll be fine

The gash on the leg is the reason given. Stroke of luck in the scheme of things.

1 hour ago, dermott said:

The gash on the leg is the reason given. Stroke of luck in the scheme of things.

Yup. Nothing to worry here.

He's at the top of the list of our players who should not play international Friendly's. Period.