Watch out, Reece James! Chelsea defender Levi Colwill insists he has captain 'qualities' after leading Blues in absence of their injury-prone skipper

James has played only 241 minutes of football this season but is not expected to feature for Chelsea again until 2025 after picking up a new hamstring injury. The England international has already missed 40 games at club level since undergoing surgery on a similar issue midway through last season.

With the club captain routinely sidelined, Chelsea have had to call on several other players to take the armband. One of those players has been Colwill, who has acknowledged his own 'leadership qualities'.

Colwill said: "I think I have always had leadership qualities in me. Last season I did captain the side a few times. So I have always had it in me. Maybe at the start of the season I wasn't showing it much to him.

"But I think the team all know I am definitely growing as a player and a person around the team and trying to help out as much as possible. The most obvious one is communicating.

"And, no matter the game I am having, trying to help my team-mates as much as possible, to organise them and give them the best chance of winning the ball back or attacking. I think it just comes down to that."

Chelsea are back in action on Sunday when they welcome Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge. James has been ruled out but Colwill is in line to start for Enzo Maresca's side. If results go their way, the Blues could end the weekend sitting second in the Premier League table.