Reece James first came across Emile Smith Rowe when the Arsenal star was on trial in Chelsea's academy.
And while the speed of the attacker's ascent to England's senior squad has taken many by surprise his now international team-mate said that the potential was always clear to see.
Smith Rowe has previously claimed he was not picked up by the Blues as a 10-year-old because they had concerns over his size.
Arsenal brought him to their Hale End academy soon after his rejection at Cobham and he has become a key cog in Mikel Arteta's much-improved Arsenal team since midway through last season.
His latest landmark came yesterday when he was promoted to Gareth Southgate's squad from the Under-21s following a number of injury withdrawals and his fine club form, including scoring the only goal against Watford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
The CIES Football Observatory says that Smith Rowe has a transfer valuation of €50m (£42m) and although Chelsea are unlikely to have many regrets considering their steady conveyor belt of academy talent, it is easy to wonder what could have happened had he been signed in West rather than North London.
"I've always known he's a top player," James said at a media conference to preview Friday's World Cup qualifier against Albania at Wembley.
"He came to Chelsea when he was quite young actually. I remember playing with him and against him when he went to Arsenal.
"I've always known he's a top player. This season he's shown how good he is and why he has been selected."
