Alonso: James can be one of world's best midfielders

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has backed captain Reece James to become one of the world's best midfielders, drawing on his own decorated playing career to assess the 26-year-old's credentials.

Alonso, who won the Champions League, European Championships, and World Cup as a player before retiring in 2017, said James has the intelligence and awareness required to dominate in the centre of the pitch.

"He is very comfortable and confident playing in that position," Alonso said. "He has the intelligence to play there because, in the middle, you need to be able to connect with your team-mates and know what the best thing to do is before you get the ball. He has this awareness."

Alonso also highlighted James's leadership qualities and physical capacity. "When he is fresh and prepared, he has shown he can compete in the Premier League – no issue," the Chelsea manager added. "When he says something, they listen and they follow him."

James, a boyhood Chelsea fan now in his fourth season as club captain, has been deployed in midfield in several matches this campaign. He started in the middle during Chelsea's Club World Cup win over Paris Saint-Germain and impressed in that role against Arsenal last season.

In Chelsea's opening three fixtures, Alonso has rotated his midfield combinations, pairing James with Romeo Lavia against Fulham and with Valentin Barco in the Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town. James was absent from the starting lineup against Brighton and Hove Albion, with Lavia and Malo Gusto filling the central roles.

Alonso confirmed the positional flexibility in his squad is deliberate. "Reece can play in the middle, and Malo Gusto can play in the middle and other positions as well," he said. "If we have injuries and suspensions, we feel we will be able to manage."