Peter Crouch is predicting Chelsea’s Reece James will be going to this summer’s European Championships with England, providing he’s fit at the time.
The Blues 21-year-old is one of numerous top-class options available to Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate at right-back.
It says a lot when Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has been overlooked for England’s World Cup qualifiers this month.
Pundit and ex-England international Crouch is confident that Chelsea’s youngster is going to be on the plane for his country for the major tournament.
He added he’s been impressed by powerhouse defender James this season:
“It feels now like Reece James will be going to the Euros ahead of him [Trent Alexander-Arnold], provided he stays fit. I like James, he’s had an outstanding season,” Crouch told the Daily Mail.
The Chronicle View
If you consider James is only 21, then Chelsea have got a potential superstar on their hands.
It’s a huge credit to the academy that he’s yet another youngster to make the step up to the first team, and some feel his ceiling is the highest in terms of how far his career can go.
He’s got all the attributes to succeed at full-back with his pace, power and aggressiveness.
England’s recent implementation of a 3-4-3 system means they play with wing-backs, something that James is now doing with Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel and it should help his international aspirations.
The Blues right-back can really cement his spot in the England XI during the current break, so it’s an opportunity he’s got to try capitalise on.
Keep up to date wth all the latest Chelsea news and opinion by following The Chelsea Chronicle’s Twitter account here.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
