https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/08/23/
james-relishes-derby-goal-and-aims-for-gradual-progress-in-long-
James relishes derby goal and aims for gradual progress in long campaign
23 Aug 2021
For the second year in a row, Reece James marked our maiden away game of
the season with a thumping strike, setting Chelsea on the way to victory
against Arsenal.
https://i.imgur.com/K8BAIPc.jpg
The defender started at wing-back for Thomas Tuchel's men at the Emirates
and was heavily involved throughout an impressive first half, initially
teeing up Romelu Lukaku for the opening goal after a quarter of an hour
before netting himself 20 minutes later with an effort that was hit with
trademark power and precision.
A 2-0 lead was too much for the Gunners to overhaul, with James also
helping the visitors to another clean sheet. The 21-year-old was,
therefore, understandably delighted when he spoke after the game to
reflect on a positive performance and a first win in four against our
London rivals.
'It's obviously great to score for my club against such tough opposition
and to help the team to win today is a great feeling,' he said. 'We
started so well and so sharply, got the two fast goals early on and that
helped settle the game down.
https://i.imgur.com/ZwKgKZB.jpg
Reece's touch map against the Gunners demonstrates an all-action display
'We knew it was going to be a hard place to come with their fans back in
the stadium and because the start of the season is always hard to get
going but we did really well to get the away win. It's a massive derby
against a very big rival so to get three points was very special.'
James's fourth senior goal for the Blues came on the same day that Lukaku
netted his first and the young defender was particularly impressed with
the Belgian's all-round display on his second debut.
As well as scoring, our number nine saw a thumping header expertly tipped
onto the crossbar by Bernd Leno, while his hold-up play and combinations
with new team-mates was also effective.
'His performance speaks for itself,' he continued. 'I don't really need
to say too much because everyone saw how well he played today, how he uses
his body and bullies players.
'I'm very happy he's here. He showed his strengths and qualities with how
good he is and how he scores goals. He's a great addition to our team.'
There was concern for James late in the game when he required on-field
treatment following a nasty collision with Nuno Tavares, an incident that
left some onlookers wondering if the defender had suffered concussion.
Tuchel was quick to clarify in his own post-match interviews that it was
not a head injury, rather a worry that he had lost a tooth, and James
offered a further update.
'Yeah it's alright,' he replied when asked about the tooth. 'I was a bit
shocked at the time but it's fine. I knew what happened. I got a kick in
the face but that's just part of football.'
Chelsea's challenging start to the season continues next weekend with a
trip to Anfield, an encounter that will bring together two teams that are
yet to drop a point or concede a goal in the league this term.
While it is far too early to talk about the title race, the contest will
certainly offer a test of the Blues' credentials and James acknowledges it
will be a difficult task that requires intelligence and intensity to
overcome.
'Liverpool have been up there at the top of the Premier League for the
last few seasons so we know going there will be a very tough game,' added
James.
https://i.imgur.com/Yit7stO.jpg
Wallop! Reece thunders in our second goal of the game in north London
'We need to prepare right and bring the same intensity as today into that
game but our team is very strong. We have a number of top players in each
position so when one top player comes off, there's another one replacing
them, which keeps the competition really high.
'I wouldn't say there's any pressure on us right now. We have to take it
game by game but obviously our aim is to win every week. Everybody here is
ambitious and wants to win the title but we just have to take things
slowly right now.'