Reece James has hailed Chelsea college, Billy Gilmour, ahead of England and Scotland’s European Championship clash next week, labelling him one of the best prospects in world football.
As quoted by the Daily Record, James held high praise for his young Blues teammate.
Gilmour is about to embark on his first major competition with Scotland, having only previously been capped twice at senior level.
It’s a huge leap for the newly turned 20-year-old, who found minutes hard to come by with his club last season.
His national side’s first port of call is to overcome the Czech Republic on Monday, before the huge showdown with England in seven days.
James keeps the peace
Under the Wembley arch, Gilmour could be directly contesting several of his Chelsea mates.
All friendships will be thrown out of the window for 90 minutes when the two neighbouring nations collide.
But James kept things jovial for now by giving a golden review of Gilmour before they lock horns.
“Billy is one of the best young lads coming through at Chelsea and one of the best young lads coming through in the world as well,” said the Blues ace.
“He’s a great lad and I think that his ability speaks for itself.”
Biggest stage for the Blues star
Of course, this is a huge career moment for James as well.
Like Gilmour, he hasn’t tasted a tournament of such magnitude as the Euros before.
The versatile defender should be boosted by his fine individual Chelsea campaign, that concluded by lifting the Champions League.
He, along with Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell, could play a massive part in England’s potential success this summer.
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