The City Ground has been kind to Reece James in recent years - or should that be the Chelsea captain has been unkind to those who frequent the City Ground.

In May 2024, James changed the game following his arrival from the bench to help Chelsea secure European qualification when he produced a world-class first-time delivery for Nicolas Jackson's winner just three minutes after his arrival, as we came from behind to win 3-2 with two goals inside the final ten minutes.

A year later, he captained the Blues as we beat Forest 1-0 to pip the Tricky Trees to Champions League football on the final day of the campaign, and on Saturday, it was his quick-thinking which saw Pedro Neto put us 2-0 up against Forest with a quick free-kick before the 25-year-old rounded off the victory with a composed volley following a half-cleared corner.

But as is usually the case with our talented skipper, there was much more to his performance than just the goal and an assist.

James' ability on the ball means he is comfortable both at right back or in the centre of midfield, which is ideal when it comes to the way Enzo Maresca wants his full-backs to play.

As Chelsea's average position map below highlights, James was regularly inverting into midfield as Chelsea looked to control possession.

It has become common place that defenders lead the passing metrics in the Premier League so Reece being tied third for most passes completed on 44, alongside fellow full-back Marc Cucurella and behind only centre-back pairing Trevoh Chalobah (61) and Josh Acheampong (49), is hardly a surprise but it is where James was getting on the ball which is more interesting.

James was second for completed passes inside the final third with 11, behind Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto (both 13), and only winger Neto created more opportunities than the England international on the day.

And these were not just sideways passes to bump up the metrics, James' was looking to progress the ball when in possession, as shown by his pass map below.

Despite technically being part of the back four, James also offered a goal threat in the final third. No one had more than his three shots at goal or two efforts on target.

Chelsea struggled to contain Nottingham Forest in the first half but that wasn't down to James neglecting his defensive duties, as he looked to contain Oleksandr Zinchenko in the first period and then defended particularly well against his good friend and former Chelsea team-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi following his introduction early in the second period.

In the age where your full-backs are expected to do much more than just defend against the opposition winger, James continues to make an impact in both boxes and in the middle of the pitch.

The starting line-up graphic may show James at right-back but the Chelsea captain continues to make a real impact across the park.

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