‘Old enough to be my dad’ - Reece James reveals Chelsea captain mentor after inheriting armband at Stamford Bridge

The England international full-back has inherited the armband at Stamford Bridge for 2023-24. James is still relatively inexperienced at 23 years of age, but has been around long enough to make over 150 appearances for the Blues while earning 16 caps for his country.

James, as a home-grown star, is looking to lead by example in west London and is happy to have a 39-year-old colleague to lean on for words of wisdom. James has told Chelsea’s official website: “The captaincy has been great. But it was difficult when I wasn’t fit because it is hard to affect things as much when I’m not with the group all the time. Thiago probably helps me the most whenever I’m unsure, or I feel like I need advice on something. He is nearly old enough to be my dad! So he is the person I go to. It’s not for me to say what sort of captain I am, but I’ve enjoyed it so far. It’s an honour.”

James is back from injury for Chelsea, having suffered his fair share of fitness problems down the years, and claims to be in a better place than he has been for some time. He added: “I haven’t felt this good in a long time. I definitely feel my strength and fitness building up again. Recently, I’ve been able to play consistently. I haven’t been able to play 90 minutes yet, but I’m training and playing hard, and pushing the limits every day to get back to my best level. I’m happy to be helping the team again as well. After almost three months out, it takes a while to build back up and find your form again. Some people think as soon as you come back you should instantly be at the level you left at, but it doesn’t work like that. You have to move slow and steady. That’s what I have been doing. I’m slowly progressing.”

Big-spending Chelsea, who are still searching for consistency under Mauricio Pochettino, will be back in Premier League action on November 25 when taking in a testing trip to Newcastle.