Former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair says Blues fullback Reece James has “more to his game” than Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Speaking about the relative strengths of the two players, Sinclair explained that James was a better defender than the Reds star and he would give the 21-year-old a run for his money in the final third of the pitch as well:
“As an all-round full-back, I think there is more to his game than Trent; he is good going forward but he is also very strong defensively.”
Fans on Twitter were not particularly impressed by Sinclair’s remarks:
Words fail me
— Deedna (@deedna00) April 2, 2020
im creasing ?
— Jacob Elkins (@JacobBElkins) April 2, 2020
Think franks starting to crack in isolation ???
— LFC7610 (@LFC7610) April 2, 2020
Seems unbiased
— Virgil van Dave (@david_oleary9) April 2, 2020
Whats he been smoking ? pic.twitter.com/johxkdjmtD
— Stephen shiels (@Shielser12) April 2, 2020
And there’s another Frank Sinclair own goal
— you love to see it 6 times (@bmccormack81) April 3, 2020
Well he has clearly forgotten what football is
— sT33LyDK (@ozzymz1245) April 3, 2020
Well, Frank WAS always mostly famous for his own goals, so this is just a continuation, really. ?
— Steve Murphy (@SteveMu72306470) April 3, 2020
Yeah cos Frank Sinclair would know about being a top defender??#owngoalking
— jackie moore (@jackjmoore8) April 3, 2020
Says the ex Chelsea player
Reece James is very promising, good player but he’s gone overboard here— Matthew King (@Mattking9000) April 3, 2020
Alexander-Arnold’s record over the past two seasons kind of speaks for itself. As well as reaching two Champions League finals, and losing just two Premier League games during that period, he has also accrued a staggering 30 assists in all competitions.
James is just getting started at the highest level and while the Chelsea youngster clearly has ability, he still has a lot to prove playing in the top flight.
It must be said, as well, that even Sinclair believes that Alexander-Arnold will hold down the right-back position for England ahead of James for the “next five or six years” which suggests that on some level even he acknowledges the Liverpool star’s superiority.
