England 3-0 Latvia: Thomas Tuchel Tas praises on “quality” Reece James after a superb free kick to Wembley | Football news

Thomas Tuchel described Reece James as a “highest quality” player after the Chelsea defender scored his first goal for England in the 3-0 victory against Latvia.

James was a surprise inclusion in the first team of Tuchel in England, but excelled when he was lucky after having curlled in his free kick to break the blocking on Monday evening, In his first departure in England in two and a half yearsThree days after climbing the bench against Albania.

The 25-year-old was used sparingly by Chelsea this season, starting only 10 games in all competitions when they continue to monitor his return after having missed 60 games in the past two seasons, but have received the call to work with his former Blues boss with Trent-Alexander in Liverpool.

“There is no doubt about the quality of Reece, it is the highest level,” said Tuchel after his performance in the qualification of the World Cup against Latvia. “We have been in close contact in recent weeks.

“We were clear that he had trained without a break and if he did not play, it was the choice of the club, protecting him. We knew he was in a good space mentally.

The quality of James shines when you consider how versatile it can be at the highest level.

The Chelsea captain worked as a defensive midfielder three times in Haut-Vol this season, but when Tuchel was asked whether or not it could be tested on the international scene, he admitted that he might not be best suited to his style of play.

Tuchel continued: “If you play a dominant match like today, it can be, as in the last 20 (minutes), a hybrid midfielder and help create an overload because he has the quality on the ball.

“Once it is an open game and a lot of transitions in the midfield, I’m not sure it would suit him perfectly.”

Tuchel: James looks so sharp

Tuchel continued to praise James in the aftermath of the game, where he complimented the “excellent” form in which he was and how much he looked in the first camp of England as an angleterre.

The duo worked with each other at Stamford Bridge, raising the Champions League during the 2020/21 campaign, and now hopes to reproduce these successes before the 2026 World Cup.

“I know the quality he has in this foot-it’s incredible,” he continued. “He has the right to be happy and proud of his performance. It is in excellent shape.

“When we called him, he had not had many games but it was not due to an injury, they just took care and managed it. He looked lively and in good shape. With his quality, there is no doubt.”

James: I had a frustrating trip to England

Although his free kick looks easy and even refrain from celebrating following his first goal for the national team, James quickly highlighted the duration of the road to this point after several setbacks of different hamstrings in the past two years.

“It’s been a long time,” said James ITV. “I had two and a half years frustrating, but I am so happy to be called and to play for my country.

“I saw the wall and I felt that I could get around it, fortunately, he struck the back of the net. I was surprised that he hit the net, I thought the goalkeeper could have done it but looking at the replay, it was difficult for him.”

England still lacks a spark

Rob Dorsett from Sky Sports News to Wembley:

“Just like Friday against Albania – it was a very professional, simple and solid performance of England. But in truth – it lacked spark against a very poor adversary. That said, England should have made a hatred of objectives, with the chances they created.

“There was certainly a better tempo and more emergency through the team, and there were signs that the players respond to the requests of Tuchel to be more direct, more aggressive and play with more pace.

“Reece James was good, and his goal was sublime. Marcus Rashford was fiery, Morgan Rogers was impressive, Marc Guehi was far from his best. Everyone was probably worthy of 6/10.

“Tuchel will be satisfied but not much more, you suspect.”