Former England striker, Alan Shearer, did not hold back in singling out Chelsea captain, Reece James, for criticism following their 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday. James, who started as a right-back, was shown a second yellow card in the 73rd minute for a tackle on Anthony Gordon.
Despite returning from a hamstring injury and starting in Chelsea’s previous three Premier League matches, James now faces a one-match suspension due to his dismissal. Shearer, speaking on BBC Radio, expressed his disappointment with Chelsea’s performance, particularly in the second half.
According to Shearer, the pressure applied by Newcastle was instrumental in making Chelsea look ineffective and vulnerable. Shearer commended Kieran Trippier’s performance but was critical of Reece James, suggesting that Anthony Gordon, the Newcastle player, posed a significant challenge for James, leading to his frustration and subsequent sending off.
Moreover, Shearer pointed out that Gordon appeared to thrive in the Newcastle environment and enjoy his football. Ultimately, Shearer’s assessment of James’ performance centered on his frustration and subsequent red card.
