Ex-England international full-back Glen Johnson believes Chelsea starlet Reece James is more apt at defensive qualities when compared to Liverpool FC’s highly-rated Trent Alexander Arnold, with the former Red’s statement likely to cause a stir amongst the Liverpool FC fanbase.
Arnold has been one of the most influential performers in the Liverpool FC side coached by Jurgen Klopp, and the full-back’s contributions to his side’s trophy-laden success over the past few seasons are not only limited to his defensive work, as the 22-year-old has demonstrated a brilliant display of attacking awareness ever so often for the Reds.
However, under the guidance of Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge, Reece James too has matured in a very swift manner as a first-team regular for the Blues, displacing the club skipper Cesar Azpilicueta from Lampard’s preferred starting XI.
Johnson, as quoted by the Daily Mail, said that Arnold’s attacking qualities put him ahead of the Chelsea full-back in the pecking order, despite the latter being much quicker and stronger on the ball in comparison to the Scouser.
‘So I would say, overall, it’s a toss-up between Trent and Reece James,’ said the former Liverpool FC man.
‘It depends on who you’re playing against of course, but I think Reece James is a better defender. I think he’s quicker, stronger.
‘Trent is great on the ball, he’s a great footballer, and he’s very smart and a lot wiser than his age suggests.
‘But in international football, you get a lot more time on the ball, so I think Trent would be No 1, but Reece would be a fantastic back-up.’
For the time being it seems as if it would be James who will don the England colours and not Arnold in the upcoming international fixture list due to the Liverpool FC star defender sustaining a nasty calf injury over the weekend at the Etihad Stadium.
