---
title: "West Ham made summer James enquiry – should Fredericks be worried?"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2019/08/21/west-ham-made-summer-james-enquiry-should-fredericks-be-worried/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Turk"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2019-08-21T08:30:26Z"
modified: "2019-08-21T08:30:26Z"
---

# West Ham made summer James enquiry – should Fredericks be worried?

West Ham United were among several Premier League clubs including Brighton and Crystal Palace to enquire about exciting Chelsea right-back Reece James this summer, which should leave Ryan Fredericks fearing for his place.

According to [the Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/08/20/chelsea-loandavide-zappacosta-roma-young-right-back-reece-james/), there was high interest in James during the transfer window following his impressive season on loan at Wigan Athletic, making it into the Championship Team of the Year.

The 19-year-old is set to receive a chance to shine at Stamford Bridge this season and offer competition to Cesar Azpilicueta though, with Frank Lampard sanctioning the sale of Davide Zappacosta.

![George Wood/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readwestham.com/readwestham/2019/08/1143730920.jpg)

### READ WEST HAM’S VERDICT

James is, without a doubt, one of the most promising English talents coming through into first-team football today and the buzz around his signing would’ve been huge.

Fredericks should see this as a warning though. He’ll know he has to step up his game this season as first-choice right-back, otherwise, a worthy back-up in the experienced Pablo Zabaleta is there to take his place.

It’s likely West Ham will look to build on the defence further next summer though, and if Fredericks doesn’t have a good season he could very well be replaced with a fresh face like James, if things don’t go to plan at the Blues.