‘We talk about Trent Alexander-Arnold, he is right up there with him’: Rio Ferdinand lauds Chelsea’s rising star Reece James as ‘the modern day footballer’
- TV pundits Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Steve McManaman praise Reece James
- The Chelsea star is being compared to Liverpool ace Trent Alexander-Arnold
- The 22-year-old has scored six times and picked up seven assists this season
Chelsea right-back Reece James is lauded as the perfect modern day footballer and on the same level as Trent Alexander-Arnold by TV pundits.
Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Steve McManaman heaped praise on the England international prior to the Blues’ Champions League quarter-final tie with Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge.
Former Manchester United Rio Ferdinand going as far as saying there is nothing between James and Alexander-Arnold who have taken over the Premier League in the right-back position.
Chelsea right-back Reece James (left) is lauded as the perfect modern day footballer and on the same level as Trent Alexander-Arnold (right) by TV pundits
The duo are being heavily compared as they compete to be England’s right-back at the 2022 World Cup – although they still face competition from the likes of Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier.
‘Reece James, man, what a fantastic footballer. He is the modern day footballer. We talk about Trent Alexander-Arnold, he is right up there with him, you can’t split them really,’ Ferdinand said on BT Sport.
‘They bring so much to the game. Reece will bring more goals, but look at his passing, he doesn’t really even get the recognition he deserves for his passing.
‘He’s got every club in the bag. In these areas, he can be devastating. He has got that physicality as well.
Rio Ferdinand believes Reece James is a player that is now full of confidence and owns his role
‘He patrols that right hand side now like he owns it, he has a confidence now that is very different to when he first came into the team, which is understandable.
‘When I was a player I want the team to miss me if i didn’t play, he is in that boat. If he doesn’t play you notice a big difference in the team and the level drops slightly.’
James has found the net six times and picked up seven assists this season in just 27 appearances in all competitions during an injury-hit campaign.
His rivals Alexander-Arnold has two goals and 17 assists in 36 appearances this season for Liverpool.
Fellow pundit Joe Cole felt 22-year-old James was destined to flourish into the talent he is becoming from a very young age.
Joe Cole felt James was destined to flourish into a talent after watching him train at Chelsea
‘I’ve seen the kid develop and i remember telling the lads when he first got into the team that there is more to come,’ Cole admitted.
‘I had seen it on the training ground, i had seen his deliveries, i’d seen his power. i actually joined in a couple of the sessions and his power. He stood out by a mile.’
Steve McManaman was also keen to join in on the praise and admits he can’t quite believe how quickly the right-back has developed into a vital player for the Blues.
Steve McManaman admits he can’t believe how quickly James has developed into a key player
His progress has been rapid, he’s the mainstay now, you know down that side when he is in the team they operate far better than when he’s not in the team.
‘A year ago, certainly 18 months ago, he was challenging for that position. Now he is the main man and it’s nailed on.
‘He offers so much more than just a defensive player getting forward. He’s a super player.’
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