Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot believes that Blues right-back Reece James can leapfrog Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold in the battle to become England's first choice right-back.
James, who doesn't even turn 21 until December, has excelled in his first, full season as a first-team player at Stamford Bridge this term after spending the 2018/19 campaign on loan at Championship side Wigan Athletic, where he made a real name for himself.
In total, James, who has yet to receive his first call-up to the England senior squad, has racked up 28 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea this season, proving himself to be another player who has benefited from Blues head coach Frank Lampard's youth policy.
The right-back has delivered a string of fine performances throughout the campaign and has even shown glimpses of his capabilities in the UEFA Champions League, suggesting that he has all of the necessary qualities to go all the way.
James, though, is not the only young, talented English right-back showcasing his qualities in the Premier League, as he has Liverpool sensation Alexander-Arnold and Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka to compete with.
Currently, it would be fair to say that Alexander-Arnold, who will be desperate to help his boyhood club clinch their very first Premier League title when the season resumes in a week's time, is in prime position to nail down the right-back role for Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad.
However, former Blues defender Melchiot, who spent five years of his playing career at Stamford Bridge, is confident that James can soon leapfrog the Liverpool right-back to the starting berth at international level.
“When you talk about Alexander-Arnold I’m excited about him and the way he plays," Melchiot told 888Sport.
“He switches the play really comfortably. Wan-Bissaka is more defensive.
“But Reece James has the ability, he has the strength, he has the speed to keep up with people, and he knows how to work it.
“There are still a couple of things he needs to add to his game, but if he can become a regular with Chelsea he can compete with those two guys and why wouldn’t he want to do that?
“That’s why we play football – to compete with the best.”
