Reece James

James and Kimmich connect the right side of defence with the work of a midfielder. Their passing and delivery can create attacks from deeper positions, rather than depending only on a run down the touchline. Both have also been used inside, where receiving and distribution become central to the role.

The Hargreaves comparison makes most sense through James’s midfield work. In Hargreaves’s Bayern 2002–06 phase, containing an attacker near his own area could be followed by helping launch the next attack. The link is defensive responsibility combined with a route forward, not two identical right-backs.