Jude Bellingham praised Chelsea’s Reece James after his Champions League display at the Bernabeu last night against Real Madrid.
Despite a brilliant performance, yesterday ended in disappointment for the Blues on their trip to Spain.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were eventually beaten in extra time courtesy of Karim Benzema’s header, but they were the better team for the majority of the contest and exited the competition with a lot of pride.
James, along with several others, really impressed in the Chelsea line-up.
The versatile 22-year-old defender dropped into a right-sided centre-back position, which pitted him directly against Madrid dangerman Vinicius Junior. It was an intriguing battle between them all night.
Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder Bellingham, 18, responded to his international colleague on Instagram to applaud him after a Champions League epic.
Southgate must use James
Surely, England boss Gareth Southgate can’t leave James out of his best XI.
He was excellent yesterday in competition with one of the world’s most in-form wingers, so it’s great to know he can drop into a centre-back position.
In addition, he regularly shows what an amazing attacking threat he is when he plays wing-back.
The way he’s capable of performing on a Champions League setting should stand him in good stead ahead of a World Cup at the end of 2022.
It says a lot when a world-class player Benzema is asking for your shirt after the full-time whistle.
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