“His ambition”- Academy graduate backed to become Chelsea captain following landmark club appearance

Nigel James backs son Reece James to become Chelsea captain in the future

According to The Athletic (Subscription Required), Nigel James has backed his son Reece James to become the Chelsea captain one day and surpass the legacy of players like Didier Drogba and John Terry. 

The Englishman has been phenomenal for the Blues this season. The Cobham graduate has been directly involved in eight goals in 11 games. Furthermore, the 21-year-old has scored some important goals in crucial games to give Chelsea the advantage.

Despite maintaining defensive duties, the British player currently leads the club’s scoring and assist charts this season. It is fair to say that he is now a key asset at both ends of the pitch.

On Saturday, the British full-back featured in his 100th game for Chelsea against West Ham United. Reece, no doubt, has become one of the top full-backs this season and is a key man in Thomas Tuchel’s squad. However, his father believes that he has a long way to go. 

Even though Nigel agreed that playing 100 games at such a young age itself is a significant achievement, his dream is to see Reece captaining the Blues one day.

“But I’m not emotional. The part where I will be emotional is the day he becomes Chelsea captain. That’s his ambition and mine as well.”

James Senior also backed Reece to transcend the legacy of some Chelsea greats and become a symbolic Blues player.. Terry and Drogba are names steeped in club folklore and it will take something special to outdo their achievements. James certainly can do that provided he continues to develop as expected.

“Didier Drogba was a legend, and so was John Terry. But Reece has been at Chelsea since he was six. There isn’t a player who has been there that young and gone on to wear the armband. The goal is to be the man that, when you hear Chelsea, you think Reece James.”

Chelsea legend John Terry has 713 appearances in the Blue shirt. The record is difficult to break, and matching the consistency of the former West London team’s captain is even harder to achieve. 

However, the pace at which Reece is developing his career is extraordinary. From being a Blues academy graduate to completing his 100th appearance for the team, it seems he is successfully following the footprints of success. 

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The young full-back helped Chelsea to win the Champions League last season. He has already matched the number of UCL Terry has. However, winning five Premier League titles could be an obstinate task. 

Nevertheless, The West London team’s recent forms suggest that they are title contenders for this season. Reece can take another big step towards his cementing his Blues legacy by helping Thomas Tuchel’s team win the prestigious league title.