Frank Lampard believes Reece James has the ability to follow in Trent Alexander-Arnold's footsteps and one day transition into a midfielder. The Liverpool defender has enjoyed an inverted role recently, stepping into midfield from right-back.
However, Jurgen Klopp was not the first manager in the Premier League to make the tactical tweak. Rico Lewis has enjoyed a similar role under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, as has Oleksandr Zinchenko under Mikel Arteta with Arsenal.
With Chelsea yet to follow the trend, Lampard was asked whether James has the ability to undertake a similar challenge to his fellow countryman. The 44-year-old claimed that the Cobham graduate has the skillset to do so but insisted that there's no urgency to shift the right-back, who still has plenty of potential to be unlocked in his current position.
READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino to Chelsea latest as huge update emerges over former Tottenham boss
Lampard said: "He can be a lot of things because of his level – and you see that with some modern full-backs with managers moving them into the midfield. But you can only do that if you have got the level of player to receive the ball in midfield and Reece has certainly got that.
"But in the short term, I do see him as a right-back or a right wing-back – that is how he has come through. In the modern day, you can be effective if you look at what Liverpool’s full-backs gave them in their really strong years recently.
"A huge amount of their attacking play was generated by their full-backs in terms of assists and making space for the wingers to get inside and score goals. It certainly does not feel like there is any urgency to move Reece, but as he matures, maybe he can develop in other ways.
"It is hard to put a limit on it because who knows, and different managers will have different ideas how to utilise his talents. But at the moment I see him as one of the best full-backs around for sure – and I am talking about world football. And that is at a young age. There is a big ceiling there for him."
While Chelsea supporters may be keen to see James trialled in a midfield role, it's unlikely to happen until next season. In the first-half of the Blues' clash against Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge, the England international was seen feeling his hamstring.
He appeared to be struggling for a moment or so but soldiered on and completed 90 minutes. When asked if James' latest knock worries him, Lampard said: "No, I don’t know about that. Reece is a young player and sometimes there’s an element of misfortune, or the element of player every three days can be taxing on the body.
"I don’t think it is a [longer-term] problem. I just think with this season, you see periods, and it might be because you really understand what Reece gives this team both defensively and offensively, that your eyes are drawn when he is not there. We want to get him as fit as he can be because he is a top player."
READ NEXT:
Mauricio Pochettino could hand Chelsea transfer advantage despite clever £40m Man City clause
Every word Frank Lampard said on Reece James, Mason Mount, Chelsea vs Brentford and Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino has already given Chelsea and Christian Pulisic transfer verdict
Frank Lampard confirms huge Chelsea injury blows for Reece James and Mason Mount
Frank Lampard breaks silence on Mauricio Pochettino to Chelsea amid crucial talks
