According to Phil Kirkbride of the Liverpool Echo, Everton ‘have scouted’ Reece James ‘on a number of occasions’, with Marco Silva looking to bolster his options at right-back this summer. Seamus Coleman is expected to be first-choice next season, but there could be a backup void to fill if Jonjoe Kenny leaves, and the highly-rated Chelsea defender would be a good fit.
James impressed on loan at Wigan in 2018/19, scoring and creating six goals in 45 Championship games. He’s made 74 chances, 47 successful dribbles (76%), averaged 37 passes-per-game with 72% accuracy, won 84 aerial duels (52%), had 45 shots with 33% accuracy, blocked 58 shots/passes/crosses, made 105 clearances, whipped in 264 crosses with 27% accuracy and averaged a tackle (94) or interception (41) every 29 minutes.
The 19-year-old was named Players’ Player of the Year at Wigan and won the Latics’ Goal of the Season award for his troubles too. Despite James’ fine form at the DW Stadium, it’s unlikely that he’ll be dethroning the likes of Cesar Azpilicueta any time soon. Everton have been looking at the defender for a while and could look to capitalise on the situation. Time will tell if they’re successful.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Report: Everton forward ‘wants to leave’ this summer