Former Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has praised Reece James’ development, insisting the defender still has plenty of room to grow as he takes on greater leadership responsibilities at Stamford Bridge.
Azpilicueta, who spent more than a decade at Chelsea and wore the captain’s armband for several seasons, believes James’ age is sometimes overlooked because supporters have watched him progress through the club’s academy into the senior team.
The former Spain international highlighted James’ natural ability, saying his quality was evident from the moment he established himself in the first team.
However, Azpilicueta believes the biggest area of development for James now is his leadership. He pointed out that becoming a captain is something that takes time and experience, recalling that he himself did not take on the role until his late twenties.
James has already carried the responsibility of captaining Chelsea, and Azpilicueta feels the defender is continuing to develop that side of his game alongside his performances on the pitch.
The comments underline the belief that James can become an increasingly influential figure for Chelsea, both through his footballing ability and his growing presence as a leader.
Azpilicueta's message is clear: James already had the talent — now he is learning how to lead.