Chelsea ended up a long way short of local rivals Arsenal in the Premier League last season, however lifelong fan Darren Bent does believe one Blue would still get into their side.
As the Gunners won the title and were defeated in the final of the Champions League, the Blues ended up finishing 10th in the league, and sacking two permanent managers in Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.
There is hope that they can start to close the gap next season with Xabi Alonso at the helm, although a lot of that will depend on the quality players remaining at the club.
CHELSEA’S FIXTURES ARE ANNOUNCED!
What do you make of our start to the season?
Darren Bent says Reece James would start for Arsenal
While Marc Cucurella has already departed, and Enzo Fernandez continues to push for a move, Alonso has given the club a list of his untouchable stars.
One of those is Reece James, who is set to captain the Blues again going into next season as he prays for another decent campaign in the battle against injuries.
When fit, it is clear he is one of the best in the world in his position, and would get into any side in world football.
Bent agrees with this, and when asked on TalkSPORT if either of the England full-backs would get into the Arsenal side, he named James as the one who would.
He said: “Calafiori, before the injury. Yeah. He’s the best in the league Calafiori. “Reece James I’ll give you, but for Nico O’Reilly I’ll take Calafiori.”
How many points are Chelsea taking out of a possible 1️⃣2️⃣?
James has produced interesting conundrum for Xabi Alonso
Many will see full-back as James’ best position, although that role doesn’t exactly exist in an Alonso back three if he decides to use that at Stamford Bridge.
The task of bombing up and down the flanks at wing-back is one that looks too much for him given his injury record, which opens up the possibility of featuring as a central midfielder more regularly.
Even Thomas Tuchel, who was his biggest advocate to remain a full-back, moved him to midfield late on to help manage England’s win against Croatia.
Maresca got results from James in that position, and it remains to be seen whether Alonso sees his future there too.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
