Real Madrid Transfers: Reece James has moved to the top of the list of dream targets
Real Madrid went up against a fiery, well-managed Chelsea side in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, and they nearly fell victim to a Remontada at the very stadium where they completed a miracle comeback over PSG just weeks earlier.
But Los Blancos survived. In advancing, Madridistas have gained even more respect for the club that knocked them out of last year’s Champions League and went on to win the whole thing. Thomas Tuchel, of course, is held in high regard by Madrid fans, having dominated the Merengues in several recent fixtures.
There is one young man who is earning quite the reputation in world football. Reece James was already in the midst of a breakout season, but his stock only increased further with a well-fought match as a center back against Real Madrid.
James held his own against the world-class Vinicius Jr., and he impressed so much that Karim Benzema asked to swap shirts with the Chelsea right back.
As for Real Madrid, the right back position has been a problem for them this season. We saw it again in the second leg of the Champions League, as Dani Carvajal struggled before ultimately pulling himself together in the end. Carvajal has been shocking at times in the big games this season, and with Lucas Vazquez as his lone backup currently on the first team, Real have suffered at times. The only other in-house option is loanee Alvaro Odriozola, but he has never shown the defensive quality or physicality necessary to be a starting fullback for Los Blancos.
Reece James is exactly the kind of player Real Madrid need at RB
James, on the other hand, has all the tools. There may not be a better all-around right back in world football right now. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joao Cancelo, and Achraf Hakimi may be higher-rated by fans, but none of them are as good as James defensively. Not even close, really.
Still just 22 years old, James plays with the solidity and composure of a veteran, and he has become one of the key players for Chelsea, one of the toughest clubs in the world. James has emerged as a major offensive threat from the right back position with five goals and six assists, and Madridistas saw how good he is defensively through the two legs.
Kylian Mbappe is the main short-term priority, and Erling Haaland is the luxury superstar. Aurelien Tchouameni is the top midfield target for 2022 and Jude Bellingham for 2023. But when you look past Mbappe, who is no longer a “target” so much as a future signing, I cannot think of a single player who would help the team more than James.
Think about it. Real Madrid need a right back with great composure, athletic ability, and end product. James has shown all these three things for Chelsea in 2022/23. Once Mbappe is signed, there will be no bigger need than the one at right back. And whereas Real have multiple options in midfield as far as signings go, can you think of a right back who is anywhere near as good as James?
The problem, of course, is that James is so good that he becomes unrealistic. Why would Chelsea sell him unless they absolutely had to? Now, that is a possibility due to the uncertainty around the club’s future, but no Madridista should bank on that. Chelsea value James to the highest degree, for the same reasons that Real Madrid fans are starting to covet the young defender.
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There is a reason why we call them “dream” targets, though. James, as of right now, looks like the No. 1 player for Madridistas to dream about when considering his age, qualities, and the importance of securing a right back with these traits.