Frank Leboeuf has revealed why he is ‘so sad’ for Chelsea youngster Reece James after his old club’s defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Bayern will head back to the Allianz Arena with a 3-0 lead over the Blues after Serge Gnabry scored twice, while Robert Lewandowski got one and set up two at Stamford Bridge.
The game was just James’ fifth appearance in the Champions League and just his third start in the competition.
James only made his first Premier League start for the Blues in their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace back in November, but has continued to impress for Frank Lampard’s side this season.
He is one of several talented academy graduates in the Blues squad with the likes of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi all featuring regularly this season.
And Leboeuf, speaking after the game, felt sorry for James up against Gnabry and left-back Alphonso Davies but believes he can learn from the experience.
"I was so sad for James, who discovered the Champions League and can see how far he is to reach the top level," the French World Cup winner said on ESPN FC via the Express.
"So we wish him the best but he’s going to have to work a lot.
"He seemed to be very juvenile with [Mason] Mount, especially in that game."
