ByTNT Sports
Published 06/03/2025 at 22:59 GMT
'As good as any right-back in the world' - James earns praise after Copenhagen display
Video credit: TNT Sports
Eni Aluko and Joe Cole agreed that at his best there is no better right-back in the world than Chelsea captain Reece James.
For James, it was just his 12th appearance of the campaign, the same number of matches he played last season as he continues to struggle with injury problems.
Speaking to TNT Sports, former England forward Aluko declared James to have been the best in the world in his position.
She said: "At his peak, he was the No. 1 right-back for England. He was keeping Trent Alexander-Arnold out of the team, because I think the defensive side, he edged it over Trent.
"So when Reece is on top form, and he can stay consistent, he is as good as any right-back in the world."
She also praised the 25-year-old’s importance to the team as captain, adding, "The big part is the leadership, for me, as well.
"He's quite a quiet lad, but Chelsea need that. In a young team, they need someone to be that leader, to be that presence.
"He looks like he's coming into that role as well for Chelsea."
Former Chelsea winger Cole agreed with Aluko, suggesting that James can lead by example and command respect with his efforts on the pitch.
He explained: "You can be a quiet leader. You don’t need to be shouting and hollering. Reece James will have the respect. He's a player's player.
"He'll have respect because of all he can do technically, psychically. When he was at his best, he was as good as any defender in the world. It's just about, for him, finding his inner peace."
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca used James as a midfielder in Denmark, and Cole pointed out that he had played in the role during a loan spell for Wigan Athletic.
Highlights: Chelsea claim narrow first-leg lead over Copenhagen
Video credit: TNT Sports
He said: "Manage him into games. He can play midfield. He went on loan to Wigan and played in the Championship and played as a midfielder, and got player of the year there as a young kid.
"So I think he is being rotated in from full-back, and he looks comfortable."
After all his fitness problems, Cole hoped that James could continue to showcase his abilities when he stays fit.
"He's got so much to offer Chelsea, so much to offer England, and it's great to see him impacting the game like he is tonight," he continued.
"People should not give up on Reece James because there's still a real, real world-class player in there, who is going to be a massive player if, whatever he's doing now, he keeps doing it."
'Always good to score' - Chelsea goal hero James reacts to win in Copenhagen
Video credit: TNT Sports
James: We want to win this competition
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Speaking after the win, James was pleased with the victory but was disappointed not to keep a clean sheet.
"It's a big step in the right direction," he said. "Coming here, it's a tough place to come.
"The atmosphere is amazing and they set up well. It's always frustrating to concede so late on in the game."
He added: "Obviously our goal was to keep a clean sheet. We did not manage that today, but we got the win."
Asked what had been difficult about facing the Danish side, he answered: "I think working out how they played. They probably set out differently from what we expected. Trying to break them down, they had a lot of bodies in the defensive part of the pitch."
James concluded: "It's always good to score and to help the team, and thankfully we got the win going into the second half of the game.
"We know it's another huge game, we need to win again. We want to advance and win this competition."
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