Thiago Silva Gives Honest Assessment of Chelsea Youngster Reece James and Where He Sees Him in the Future

Thiago Silva Gives Honest Assessment of Chelsea Youngster Reece James and Where He Sees Him in the Future

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:13 PM
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  • Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has heaped praise on teammate Reece James, saying he has the tools to be a world-beater
  • James has been one of Chelsea's best players for the last few seasons, and he is considered one of the Premier League's best right-backs
  • James scored a stunner in Chelsea;'s Champions League clash with AC Milan on Wednesday

Veteran defender Thiago Silva has heaped praise on young right-back, Reece James, saying he can only see him grow into a world-class defender.

Reece James has been Chelsea's story of the season so far and scored a stunning goal for the Blues in the Champions League match versus AC Milan on Wednesday.

Reece James, Thiago Silva, AC Milan, Stamford Bridge, Premier League, Champions League
Reece James is the first name on Chelsea's teamsheet this season. Photo by Steve Bardens.
Source: Getty Images

James produced back-to-back brilliant performances against arguably the two best wingers in world football, Crystal Palace's Wilfred Zaha and AC Milan's Rafael Leao.

Since making his debut a few seasons ago, James has blossomed into one of the Premier League's best right-back, and at only 22, he boasts over 100 appearances for the Stamford Bridge club.

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Thiago Silva expectations for James

Barring any long-term injury setbacks, Silva thinks James will play for a long time, according to Sportbible.

"He’s a very young athlete but looks like he’s been playing football for so many years. It’s easy to talk about him because he is someone I really like."
"I hope he can continue with this winning mentality because he is a guy who works really hard and deserves all this success. He is one of the strengths of our team, both offensively and defensively."

The Brazilian defender sees the Englishman as a world-beater.

"I hope he can continue like this, because is he keeps this winning mentality he has everything to be one of the best in history."

James nullified Milan winger Leao, who was Serie A's best player last season and even the current season. Leao acknowledged that James was difficult to play against.

"James is a good player, he was all over me and everywhere at the same time, he timed his runs very fine."

Koulibaly slammed for slow Chelsea start

Sports Brief earlier reported on former England manager Fabio Capello criticising Kalidou Koulibaly for his slow start to life at Chelsea.

The Senegal international started life brilliantly in the Premier League, scoring a superb goal on his Chelsea debut against Tottenham Hotspur.

Koulibaly won the African Cup of Nations in February for his country, and he will lead the Lions of Teranga in Qatar for the World Cup.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.