Leicester City Opinion: Why the Foxes should go all out to sign Reece James

According to a report from The Sun, Leicester City look set to battle with Manchester United in the race to sign Chelsea youngster Reece James.

Reece James, 19, has impressed this season, with the right-back enjoying a solid season-long loan spell in the Championship with Wigan Athletic. He made 43 appearances and played a huge part in keeping Paul Cook’s side safe in the second tier of English football, which earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Season.

The teenage full-back’s swift progress has been rewarded with a call-up to the England Under-20 squad for this summer’s Toulon Tournament. James, who is also coveted by Bournemouth and Burnley, signed a new four-year deal last year which ties him to Chelsea until 2022.

But the Blues could be tempted by an offer of around £15m for the 19-year-old, who despite the club’s transfer ban, might move away in search of regular first-team minutes from the south Londoners. That being said, Leicester City must go all out to sign James.

Brendan Rodgers left Celtic for Leicester back in February, stunning the Hoops supporters.

He is gearing up for his first full season in charge at the King Power Stadium after guiding the Foxes to a ninth-placed finish in the 2018/19 campaign. It’s an exciting time for the Midlands outfit, with optimism building ahead of the next campaign as Rodgers is expected to bring in few fresh faces.

Interest in Reece James suggests the Leicester boss wants to improve his back-line as well as add competition for Ricardo Pereira. Pereira had a fine first season at the King Power Stadium, winning the club’s Player of the Season and the Players’ Player of the Season.

The Portuguese chipped in with two excellent goals and six assists. Yet his contribution at the back was impressive too, as he made the right-back spot his own.

James’ addition would give Rodgers a lot of tactical flexibility. The Leicester boss can use James at right-back and push Pereira up the pitch on the right. Although Ricardo has proven himself good enough in his current position, Rodgers must hand the Portuguese an advanced role to add more impetus to his attack.

Read More Leicester City News, Click Here: Leicester City News

By doing so, James could have a free run at right-back and slowly but steadily make the position his own next season.

Verdict

Leicester need reinforcements and their first task will have to be adding a new right-back. Pereira has been the picture of consistency in his debut season at the King Power Stadium and someone like Reece James can be just the man to help out.