The Right Back Position In London Just Turned Blue
The Premier League demands more from modern full-backs than ever before — blending defensive solidity with attacking intelligence.
Over the last few months, Chelsea’s Reece James has edged past Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber in influence, efficiency, and overall impact, overtaking him as arguably the most complete right-back in the league.
Both players have impressed this season with overlapping runs, key passes, and defensive contributions, but when it comes to minutes, attacking output, creative influence, passing, duels, and game intelligence, James has pulled ahead.
This detailed metric-by-metric breakdown highlights where each right-back shines and why Reece James has taken the upper hand in the 2025-26 campaign.
AVAILABILITY & GENERAL INVOLVEMENT
Minutes played
Reece James – Chelsea – 1,537
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 1,912
Minutes played remain one of the clearest indicators of a player’s availability, durability, reliability, and tactical trust within a Premier League season. At elite level, talent alone is not enough — a player must be consistently fit and trusted by the manager to influence matches over long stretches of the campaign.
While minutes played can sometimes be shaped by squad rotation, load management, or a coach’s wider man-management strategy, they still largely reflect how central a player is to a team’s competitive structure. For example, against West Ham, Chelsea’s new head coach opted to rotate heavily, leaving established names like Cucurella, Neto, and Reece James on the bench before orchestrating a dramatic 3–2 comeback from 2–0 down — a reminder that minutes can fluctuate based on tactical context rather than pure ability.
That said, over the course of a Premier League season, consistent game time usually points to fitness stability and sustained selection, both of which are critical in title races and high-intensity league campaigns. As the saying goes, ability without availability is useless, especially in a league as physically demanding as the Premier League.
In this case, Jurrien Timber has logged 1,912 minutes, compared to Reece James’ 1,537 minutes, giving the Arsenal right-back a 375-minute advantage, equivalent to just over three full Premier League matches. From a purely availability-based perspective, Timber has been the more dependable option this season.
The Verdict: Timber wins this one
Touches
Reece James – Chelsea – 1,438
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 1,303
Touches are a strong indicator of game involvement, positional responsibility, and influence in possession, especially for modern Premier League right-backs who are expected to contribute heavily in both build-up and attacking phases.
In this comparison, Reece James has been more involved in Chelsea’s overall play, seeing significantly more of the ball than Jurrien Timber has for Arsenal. High touch volume often reflects a player’s role as a key outlet in progression, circulation, and tempo control, particularly in teams that rely on full-backs to advance the ball from deep areas.
Reece James has recorded 1,438 touches, compared to Timber’s 1,303, underlining James’ greater on-ball responsibility and presence throughout Chelsea’s phases of play.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it
ATTACKING OUTPUT (GOALS & SHOOTING)
Attempted Shots
Reece James – Chelsea – 9
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 20
Jurrien Timber’s desire to score and willingness to get into shooting positions this season is reflected in his shot volume. The Arsenal right-back has attempted 20 shots so far, more than double the 9 shots attempted by Reece James.
If we follow the long-held assumption that goals win football matches, then a higher number of shot attempts can, in theory, be viewed as a positive attacking trait. From that perspective alone, Timber’s greater shot volume would suggest a higher attacking intent, and on pure volume, Timber appears to have the edge in this metric.
However, football analysis is rarely that simple. Another school of thought places greater value on efficiency rather than sheer volume, arguing that shot selection, timing, and accuracy matter more than how often a player pulls the trigger. After all, elite players often need only one clear chance to decide a game.
To fully understand the attacking impact of both right-backs, it is therefore necessary to go beyond shot volume and examine shots on target, which provides a clearer picture of quality, composure, and decision-making in front of goal.
Shots on Target
Reece James – Chelsea – 6
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 5
These numbers tell a clear story about efficiency and composure in front of goal. Despite attempting fewer shots overall, Reece James has placed 6 of his 9 efforts on target this season, highlighting a more selective and calculated approach when shooting.
On closer inspection, it becomes evident that Reece James demonstrates superior shot accuracy compared to Jurrien Timber, who has registered 5 shots on target from a significantly higher volume of attempts. This contrast suggests that James is more decisive in choosing when and where to shoot, rather than relying on frequency alone.
This naturally leads us to examine the numbers in terms of shot accuracy, where the difference between the two right-backs becomes even clearer.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it
Shot accuracy (%)
Reece James – Chelsea – 66.67%
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 25.00%
Reece James is clearly more calculating and deliberate than Jurrien Timber when it comes to choosing the right moment and location to attempt a shot on goal. Rather than shooting on sight, the Chelsea right-back shows a higher level of decision-making, composure, and shot selection in attacking situations.
This strongly suggests that Reece James is the more efficient shooter, while Timber appears to rely more on shot volume in an attempt to find the back of the net. Efficiency, especially for a defender, is often a more valuable trait than frequency, as it reflects game intelligence and attacking discipline.
The numbers underline this contrast emphatically. Jurrien Timber records a shot accuracy of just 25.00%, while Reece James posts an outstanding 66.67%, giving the Chelsea defender more than double the accuracy of his Arsenal counterpart. Crucially, James has achieved this despite playing fewer minutes over the course of the season.
The Verdict: Reece wins this one
Goals
Reece James – Chelsea – 2
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 2
Goals scored are the clearest indicator of a player’s direct goal threat and end-product, even for defenders whose primary role lies outside the final third. In this comparison, both right-backs are level, having each scored 2 non-penalty goals in the Premier League so far.
These identical goal returns suggest that, in terms of pure scoring output, neither player holds a clear advantage at this stage of the season.
Both Reece James and Jurrien Timber have demonstrated an ability to contribute decisively in front of goal when opportunities arise.
The Verdict: It is a tie
Goals from inside the box
Reece James – Chelsea – 1
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 2
A closer examination of their goal profiles shows that Jurrien Timber poses a greater threat inside the penalty area compared to Reece James. Goals scored from inside the box often reflect a player’s movement, positioning, and timing in advanced attacking zones.
In this case, Timber has scored 2 goals from inside the box, while Reece James has scored just 1. This suggests that the Arsenal right-back is more effective when operating in central, close-range scoring positions, particularly during sustained attacking phases.
The Verdict: Timber wins this one
Goals from Outside the Box
Reece James – Chelsea – 1
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 0
When we shift the focus to goals scored from outside the penalty area, the contrast between the two right-backs becomes clear. Reece James emerges as the bigger long-range threat, while Jurrien Timber has yet to score from outside the box.
This highlights a key stylistic difference between the two players. While Timber appears more clinical and dangerous in close-range situations inside the box, Reece James carries a greater threat from distance, particularly around the edges of the opponent’s 18-yard area.
This pattern strongly suggests that Reece James possesses superior shot power and long-range accuracy, allowing him to influence games even when space is limited in central areas.
The Verdict: Reece wins this one
Conversion Rate (%)
Reece James – Chelsea – 22.22%
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 10.00%
Conversion rate is a key metric for measuring finishing efficiency, showing how effectively a player turns chances into goals. In other words, it answers the crucial question: who needs fewer opportunities to find the net?
On this front, Reece James clearly outperforms Jurrien Timber. The Chelsea right-back boasts a 22.22% conversion rate, more than double Timber’s 10.00%, highlighting James’ ability to make the most of limited opportunities in high-pressure moments.
This data also aligns with their shot accuracy figures: Reece James’ high precision allows him to convert fewer, smarter chances into goals, while Timber relies more on volume over efficiency. This combination of accuracy and clinical finishing makes James a more potent attacking threat from right-back.
The Verdict: Reece James wins this one
CREATION & FINAL-THIRD IMPACT
Assists
Reece James – Chelsea – 4
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 3
Assists are the second-most important metric for attacking output, reflecting a player’s ability to create goal-scoring opportunities for teammates. Modern full-backs are expected not just to defend but to drive attacks, deliver key passes, and unlock defenses, and this is where Reece James stands out.
Football, at its highest level, is about expressing yourself with and without the ball, and the most exciting teams are those that prioritize forward momentum, creativity, and attacking intelligence. While defensive solidity matters, the ability to contribute directly to goals often separates good defenders from elite attacking right-backs.
This season, Reece James has provided 4 assists, edging out Jurrien Timber’s 3. Beyond the numbers, it underlines James’ vision, crossing ability, and decisive involvement in final-third actions, making him a more impactful attacking force from the right flank.
The Verdict: Reece wins this one
Chances Created
Reece James – Chelsea – 21
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 19
Chances created is a key indicator of a player’s vision, creativity, and influence in the attacking phase. For modern Premier League right-backs, contributing to the build-up and supplying teammates with goal-scoring opportunities is just as important as scoring themselves.
So far this season, Reece James has crafted 21 chances, slightly ahead of Jurrien Timber’s 19. This reflects James’ ability to read the game, deliver incisive passes, and link effectively with forwards, making him a more potent creative outlet from the right flank.
The Verdict: Reece James wins this one
Touches in the Opposition’s Box
Reece James – Chelsea – 10
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 78
There is an ongoing debate in modern football about the optimal positioning for a right-back: should they spend more time in advanced attacking zones, or focus primarily on defensive duties? The answer often depends on a team’s style of play. Full-backs in possession-heavy, progressive systems are encouraged to push higher up the pitch, joining attacks and creating overloads in the final third.
In this regard, Jurrien Timber has recorded a staggering 78 touches in the opposition’s box, compared to just 10 for Reece James. Timber’s frequent presence in advanced areas highlights his involvement in attacking phases, explaining why he appears more dangerous inside the penalty area and why he produces more through balls and goal-threatening actions than his Chelsea counterpart.
The Verdict: Jurrien Timber wins it
Through Balls
Reece James – Chelsea – 6
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 8
Through balls are one of the most dangerous attacking tools, capable of slicing open defenses and creating clear goal-scoring opportunities. In this metric, Jurrien Timber has a slight edge, delivering 8 through balls compared to Reece James’ 6.
These numbers reflect Timber’s greater involvement in the opposition half and his willingness to carry the ball into advanced positions, linking play between midfield and forwards. James, while highly effective, operates slightly deeper, which explains the difference in creative output through this particular metric.
The Verdict: Jurrien Timber wins it
Take-ons Completed
Reece James – Chelsea – 8
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 11
Take-ons, or dribbles past an opponent, are a key measure of a player’s ability to carry the ball, beat defenders, and create attacking momentum. In this metric, Jurrien Timber has the edge, completing 11 take-ons compared to Reece James’ 8.
At first glance, this suggests Timber is the more effective dribbler, consistently progressing play and challenging defensive lines. However, the take-ons success rate (%) provides additional context, revealing not just how often a player attempts to beat an opponent, but how consistently they do so under pressure.
The Verdict: Jurrien Timber wins it
Take-ons Success (%)
Reece James – Chelsea – 47.06%
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 42.31%
While Jurrien Timber completes more dribbles in raw numbers, Reece James boasts a higher take-on success rate, completing 47.06% of his attempts compared to Timber’s 42.31%.
This highlights James’ strategic and calculated dribbling, relying on quality over quantity. Even with Timber playing over 300 more minutes, James manages to execute more efficient, effective take-ons, showing his ability to beat opponents at the right moment rather than simply increasing volume.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it
PASSING & BUILD-UP PLAY
Passing
Passing is more than just accuracy—it’s about vision, timing, and influence. Here’s a breakdown of vital passing metrics to determine which right-back, Reece James or Jurrien Timber, dictates play from the flank.
Passes Attempted
Reece James – Chelsea – 1,038
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 849
The number of passes attempted highlights a player’s involvement, influence, and responsibility in a team’s build-up play.
Reece James has attempted 1,038 passes this season, significantly more than Jurrien Timber’s 849, showing that the Chelsea right-back is far more central to his team’s ball circulation and attacking transitions.
It’s also worth remembering that Timber has played 375 more minutes than James, making James’ higher passing volume even more impressive.
This demonstrates not just quantity, but active participation and trust in possession, reflecting James’ role as a key playmaker from the right-back position.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it
Passes Completed
Reece James – Chelsea – 912
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 744
Reece James not only attempts more passes, but he also completes a higher volume than Jurrien Timber. With 912 successful passes compared to Timber’s 744, James demonstrates greater involvement and influence in Chelsea’s build-up play.
These numbers highlight James’ central role in circulating the ball, linking midfield and attack, and dictating tempo from the right-back position. In terms of passing contribution and overall game influence, Reece James clearly has the upper hand over Timber this season.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it
Passing Accuracy (%)
Reece James – Chelsea – 87.86%
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 86.01%
Passing accuracy reflects not just involvement, but efficiency and reliability in possession. Reece James completes 87.86% of his passes, slightly edging out Jurrien Timber’s 86.01%, showing that James is not only active on the ball but also precise and dependable under pressure.
This consistency in passing highlights James’ ability to maintain Chelsea’s rhythm, circulate the ball effectively, and contribute to controlled build-up play, giving him a subtle but meaningful advantage in ball retention and distribution over Timber.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it
Long Passes Attempted
Reece James – Chelsea – 91
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 35
Long passes are a key tool for switching play, breaking lines, and launching counter-attacks. They allow defenders to release pressure quickly and turn defense into offense in an instant.
Reece James has attempted 91 long passes this season, demonstrating his vision, confidence, and ability to influence the game from deep, while Jurrien Timber has attempted just 35, less than half of James’ total. This shows that Chelsea’s right-back is far more proactive in creating attacking opportunities from the back.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it
Long Passes Completed
Reece James – Chelsea – 49
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 15
Reece James not only attempts more long balls but also completes significantly more than Jurrien Timber. The Chelsea right-back has completed 49 long passes, compared to Timber’s 15, demonstrating his ability to pick out teammates accurately over distance and dictate play from deeper positions.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it
Long Pass Accuracy (%)
Reece James – Chelsea – 53.85%
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 42.86%
In terms of precision, James clearly outperforms Timber, completing over half of his long passes compared to Timber’s 42.86%. This combination of volume and accuracy highlights James’ vision, composure, and effectiveness in launching attacks from the back, making him a crucial outlet for Chelsea’s build-up play.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it
Crosses Completed
Reece James – Chelsea – 21
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 3
Crossing is a key weapon for modern attacking full-backs, providing strikers with quality service in the box and creating high-probability scoring chances. Reece James has completed 21 crosses this season, demonstrating his ability to deliver precise balls into dangerous areas and influence Chelsea’s attacking play.
By contrast, Jurrien Timber has managed just 3 completed crosses, highlighting a clear difference in final-third involvement and offensive output from the right flank. James’ crossing ability reinforces his status as a dual-threat right-back, capable of both defensive solidity and creative contributions.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it
Crossing Accuracy (%)
Reece James – Chelsea – 24.42%
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 7.89%
Crossing accuracy highlights not just volume but quality and effectiveness in delivering balls into dangerous areas. Reece James boasts a crossing accuracy of 24.42%, nearly four times higher than Jurrien Timber’s 7.89%, proving that his deliveries are precise, calculated, and consistently threatening.
This combination of volume and accuracy makes James a major attacking outlet from the right-back position, capable of creating high-quality chances while maintaining positional awareness and composure under pressure.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it
DEFENSIVE ACTIONS & DUELS
Duels Contested
Reece James – Chelsea – 164
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 205
Timber has been more involved in duels this season with 205 contests, while James has featured in 164 duels for Chelsea, showing Timber’s physical presence and defensive involvement in the Premier League.
The Verdict: Jurrien Timber wins it
Duels Won
Reece James – Chelsea – 94
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 117
Timber edges James in duels won this season, claiming 117 victories compared to 94 for James, highlighting his winning presence and defensive reliability in the Premier League.
The Verdict: Jurrien Timber wins it
Ground Duels Contested
Reece James – Chelsea – 121
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 153
Timber leads the way with 153 ground duels contested, while James has been involved in 121, showing Timber’s dominance in 1v1 battles on the pitch this Premier League season.
The Verdict: Jurrien Timber wins it
Ground Duels Won
Reece James – Chelsea – 67
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 83
Jurrien Timber comes out on top here, winning 83 ground duels compared to 67 for Reece James, underlining Timber’s strong defensive output and consistency in ground battles for Arsenal this Premier League season.
The Verdict: Jurrien Timber wins it
Ground Duels Success (%)
Reece James – Chelsea – 55.37%
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 54.25%
Reece James edges this one with a 55.37% ground duel success rate, narrowly outperforming Jurrien Timber’s 54.25% in Premier League ground contests.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it.
Aerial Duels Contested
Reece James – Chelsea – 43
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 52
Jurrien Timber has been involved in more aerial battles, contesting 52 aerial duels, compared to 43 by Reece James this season.
The Verdict:Jurrien Timber wins it.
Aerial Duels Won
Reece James – Chelsea – 27
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 34
Jurrien Timber has won 34 aerial duels, edging Reece James, who has recorded 27 wins in the air so far this season.
The Verdict: Jurrien Timber wins it.
Aerial Duels Success (%)
Reece James – Chelsea – 62.79%
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 65.38%
Jurrien Timber holds the edge again, posting a 65.38% aerial duels success rate, compared to 62.79% for Reece James.
The Verdict: Jurrien Timber wins it.
Tackles Made
Reece James – Chelsea – 40
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 50
Jurrien Timber has made 50 tackles, ten more than Reece James’ 40, highlighting his higher defensive involvement in stopping attacks.
The Verdict: Jurrien Timber wins it.
Interceptions
Reece James – Chelsea – 27
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 16
Reece James has registered 27 interceptions, comfortably ahead of Jurrien Timber’s 16, showing stronger anticipation and reading of the game.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it.
Clearances
Reece James – Chelsea – 32
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 39
Jurrien Timber has made 39 clearances, more than Reece James’ 32, reflecting his greater defensive workload in removing danger.
The Verdict: Jurrien Timber wins it.
Blocked Shots
Reece James – Chelsea – 6
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 6
Both Reece James and Jurrien Timber are level here, with 6 blocked shots each, showing equal commitment to getting bodies in the way when it matters.
The Verdict: It’s a tie.
Ball Recoveries
Reece James – Chelsea – 82
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 73
Reece James leads this metric with 82 ball recoveries, outpacing Jurrien Timber’s 73, highlighting his ability to regain possession and restart attacks.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it.
DISCIPLINE & POSSESSION SECURITY
Fouls from Tackle Attempts
Reece James – Chelsea – 18
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 18
Both Reece James and Jurrien Timber have committed 18 fouls from tackle attempts, showing parity in defensive aggression and timing.
The Verdict: It’s a tie.
Fouls
Reece James – Chelsea – 24
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 32
Jurrien Timber has been caught committing more fouls this season, with 32 compared to 24 for Reece James.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it.
Fouls Won
Reece James – Chelsea – 19
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 23
Jurrien Timber has drawn more fouls, 23 compared to 19 for Reece James, showing his ability to create set-piece opportunities for Arsenal.
The Verdict: Jurrien Timber wins it.
Yellow Cards
Reece James – Chelsea – 4
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 4
Both Reece James and Jurrien Timber have picked up 4 yellow cards this season, keeping their disciplinary records level.
The Verdict: It’s a tie.
Possession Lost
Reece James – Chelsea – 234
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 234
Both Reece James and Jurrien Timber have lost possession 234 times this season, showing identical ball-handling risk in the Premier League.
The Verdict: It’s a tie.
Times Tackled
Reece James – Chelsea – 21
Jurrien Timber – Arsenal – 33
Jurrien Timber has been tackled more often, 33 times compared to 21 for Reece James, reflecting his deeper involvement in Arsenal’s build-up play.
The Verdict: Reece James wins it.
Conclusion
After reviewing availability, attacking efficiency, creative output, passing influence, defensive duels, and discipline, Reece James emerges as the more complete right-back this season.
While Jurrien Timber impresses with his physicality, presence in the opposition box, and defensive workload, James consistently delivers higher efficiency in passing, crossing, chance creation, and goal threat, making him a more influential and well-rounded player for Chelsea.
In the battle of Premier League right-backs for 2025-26, the edge goes to Reece James.
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