Chelsea star is 'the best in the world' says Kyle Walker

Cameron Smith

• 30 May 2024 07:30 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester City captain Kyle Walker believes Chelsea star Reece James is currently the best right-back in world football.

James, 24, was named Blues captain by Mauricio Pochettino last summer, but he was plagued by injuries and suspensions during the 2023-24 campaign, and he mustered just 481 minutes of action as a result.

James’ lack of game time ensured he was excluded from England’s preliminary 33-man squad for the 2024 European Championship, with Walker, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold selected ahead of him.

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However, Walker believes the Chelsea man is currently the best right-back in the world, despite his recent injury troubles.

What has Kyle Walker said?

When asked who the best right-back in world football is on the You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker Podcast, the Man City captain replied: “Reece James.

“He’s just got everything. Everything. If I could make the complete right-back, it would be him. He can defend, attack, he’s technical, can use both feet, he’s a threat at dead-ball situations, he’s quick.”

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Walker continued: “I think if I was to build the perfect right back, I would go with my strength, [Achraf] Hakimi’s pace, [Joao] Cancelo’s technical ability, Trent’s [Alexander-Arnold] passing, [Dani] Carvajal’s mentality and I think Reece James’ football brain because he obviously played in midfield for a long time.

“But if I was to round all of them up, I’d say it would be Reece. He gives you a little bit of everything.”

James made his senior Chelsea debut in 2019, having returned from an extremely successful loan spell at Wigan Athletic, and he soon became a regular at Stamford Bridge, ousting Cesar Azpilicueta as the Blues’ first-choice right-back.

The Englishman helped Chelsea win the Champions League in 2021, while he has 11 goals and 22 assists in 158 first-team appearances for his boyhood club.