Chelsea captain, Cesar Azpilicueta has praised his talented teammate Reece James, who is competing for the right-back spot. Azpilicueta has been Chelsea’s club captain after having a phenomenal career with the Blues so far and he has been untouchable.
But in recent years, academy graduate James is the player standing in his way and challenging for the right-back position in the starting XI.
The England international has been opted by coach, Frank lamaprd for three consecutive games in the Premier League and has scored a stunner in the opening match only. That helped him to win Chelsea’s goal of the month.
In the Crystal Palace game though, Azpilicueta started where Chelsea won 4-0 before the international break.
“The competition with Reece is very strong. As I have said before, this is Chelsea and you have to fight for your place in the team along with many other good players.”
“This has been the same since I arrived here in 2012,” Azpilicueta said as per the club’s official website.
“Reece is a fantastic boy, he’s a huge talent and he has lots of quality. I’m happy to try to help him and the team wherever I can.”
The young fullback has been called up to England’s national team for the first time in his career too after strings of impressive performance for his club. Frank Lampard is elated to see a healthy competition between the two as that will only benefit the club in the long run.
Although Reece James is viewed as the long-term answer to the right-back position of the Blues, it won’t be easy for him as long as the experienced Azpilicueta is in contention.
