Jude Bellingham has described Reece James as the "perfect athlete" amid transfer speculation linking the Borussia Dortmund star to Chelsea.
According to Goal, the Blues are hoping that their 'efforts in building relationships' in their talks over a move for Erling Haaland will help them in the race to sign Bellingham in the 'longer term'.
The 17-year-old England international has reportedly been a long-term target of Chelsea's and the interest has 'never gone away', despite his £25million move to Borussia Dortmund last summer.
The Blues' hierarchy apparently want to be leading the race to sign the former Birmingham City man for when he eventually leaves the German club.
But that might not be for a while yet, with the teenage sensation under contract at Signal Iduna Park until the summer of 2025.
Bellingham, though, has been speaking about his admiration over one of Chelsea's star players - James.
The England right-back, who is currently in the same camp as Bellingham for the Three Lions' Euro 2020 campaign, was instrumental in the Blues' 2020/21 season and earned himself a call-up from Gareth Southgate, despite seriously strong competition in his position.
Bellingham has described James as the "perfect athlete" and mentioned some of his strongest attributes.
“He’s one of the best players in his position in the league and maybe in Europe,” Bellingham said on England's official YouTube channel.
The interviewer then spoke about how strong James is and Bellingham responded with: “(He's) alive.
“Honestly, I got close to him a few times in training and you just bounce off him. He’s so strong, and fast, and powerful that he’s like the perfect athlete.
“I’m trying to get to that level [physically], but I’m quite a way behind.”
So it's clear Bellingham loves James as a player and it's also clear that Blues players have admiration for the teenager as well.
Speaking last year, Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell heaped praise on the Dortmund sensation.
"He's very cool," Chilwell told talkSPORT ahead of England's 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in November.
"I saw him today, met him for the first time today, and he's just a really, really good guy.
"Very excited for him and 17 years old. It's a massive, massive achievement for someone to play for England let alone at 17.
"I've seen him play for Birmingham and obviously he's been doing very well for Dortmund so thoroughly deserved and very, very happy for him."
