Thomas Tuchel's costly Reece James call means Chelsea takeover has easy Jules Kounde decision

"I love him in both positions. I'm not sure (what his best position is)." Thomas Tuchel expressed firmly when asked if Reece James' new position would be in the German's back-three rather than as a wing-back.

"I think the back three is less demanding physically in comparison to the wing-back position," Tuchel explained. "Given he comes back from a long injury, a muscle injury, with the risk of a re-injury over so many weeks, it is a bit of an advantage to have him in a back three."

Tuchel stuck with James as a right-sided centre-back in the defeat to Arsenal, a game that saw a third consecutive defensive collapse at Stamford Bridge. James was not at fault for any of Arsenal's four goals, and the switch proved costly at the other end.

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Chelsea have generally been accused of lacking creativity in their ranks. A side under Thomas Tuchel focuses more on controlled possession, neatly playing the ball and protecting their structure over great risk.

The issue with James being moved to a more defensive position is that it effectively nullifies one of Chelsea's most productive players. With six goals and seven assists to his name this season, the English defender has proved a consistent threat from the right, flying forward, getting into the box and using his incredible technique to carve out dangerous crosses.

When in a back-three, the areas he naturally occupies do not allow him the same freedom, and whilst Tuchel may refer to less physical demand, there is an offensive price that Chelsea has and will continue to pay.

Whilst the switch worked on a one-off occasion in nullifying the speed of Vinicius for Real Madrid, against an Arsenal side