While Rice dominates the headlines for his delivery, Chelsea captain Reece James is also making his mark as England's primary right-back. Having missed parts of the build-up due to a hamstring injury sustained at the end of the domestic season, James hasgrown tired of the narrative surrounding his physical durability. The 26-year-old managed 39 appearances last term and is determined to stay focused on his performances on the pitch.
"People always talk about injuries and availability, and to me it's so boring now," James told the media. "I have one job, which is to be the best I can when I'm on the pitch. To be honest, I understand the stigma at the start, but after a while it gets boring. I've been fit for a long time before my last injury, and I don't listen to too much noise. I just focus on myself, my body, trying to perform the best I can and help the team I'm playing in."