“I asked them” – Reece James reveals what he asked team-mates before scoring brilliant free-kick | OneFootball

Reece James revealed he asked the Chelsea centre backs what they wanted him to do as he walked over to take his free-kick against Benfica.

The Blues advanced to the quarter finals of the Club World Cup after a crazy game in Charlotte, which was suspended for nearly two hours due to adverse weather conditions.

James opened the scoring with a brilliant free-kick, before Benfica equalised from the spot after play resumed to force extra time.

Reece James opens up on his free-kick

Chelsea came alive in extra time and goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall saw them run out 4-1 winners.

The win sets up a quarter final against Palmeiras and future Chelsea star Estevao Willian in Philadelphia on Friday night.

James opened the scoring with a brilliant free-kick. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Enzo Maresca called the weather delay a “joke” and the Blues will need to focus on recovering ahead of another big game.

Chelsea impressed in the first half, but Benfica keeper Anatoliy Trubin was equal to everything and it took a moment of brilliance to break the deadlock.

James, who appears to have put his injury issues behind him, used brilliant technique and skill to catch Trubin out, and the skipper opened up on his goal after the game.

“As I was walking over and I was speaking to the centre-backs, and I asked them what they wanted,” he told Chelsea’s website.

“They said a shot, cross or in-swinger, and I said no problem. When I got to the ball and saw the goalkeeper’s positioning; he showed me too much of the goal. So I just decided to shoot and it went in.”

Caicedo suspended for Palmeiras clash

It wasn’t all good news for Chelsea as Moises Caicedo picked up a yellow card meaning the influential Ecuadorian is suspended for the quarter final.

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Caicedo was voted man of the match and once again put in another brilliant performance in the heart of the Chelsea midfield.

Dario Essugo will likely replace the 23-year-old or Maresca could decide to deploy James in midfield and play Malo Gusto or Josh Acheampong at right back.