Chelsea right-back Reece James is as good as Liverpool and England star Trent Alexander-Arnold, claims former Tottenham striker Darren Bent. James impressed for Chelsea on his full Premier League debut against Crystal Palace on Saturday. The academy graduate came in for Blues club captain Cesar Azpilicueta, who failed to start a league match for just the second time in 149 matches. Bent says the only unfortunate thing for James is that a player as good as Azpilicueta could prevent him getting regular first-team football under Frank Lampard.

The unfortunate thing is that the person who plays in the same position as him is the captain Darren Bent on Chelsea ace Reece James

And he can also see a fight between James and Alexander-Arnold for the first-choice right-back spot at senior international level. “I’m such a big fan of this kid, it’s crazy,” Bent said on talkSPORT. “The unfortunate thing is that the person who plays in the same position as him is the captain, but you can tell Lampard is desperate to get him in now and play him because he’s ready to go. “You look at his technical ability on the ball, I think he’s just as good as Trent.

Trending

Darren Bent says Chelsea ace Reece James is as good as Trent Alexander-Arnold

Reece James impressed on his full Premier League debut for Chelsea

“His passing and distribution is just as good. “He’s a big powerful kid as well, he’s not slight, he’s strong, he’s built, he’s massive. “I think that right-back position for England at the moment is unbelievable. It’s going to be some fight over the next ten years for that position.” James is one of a number of academy graduates who have been a chance by Lampard this season.

Cesar Azpilicueta also plays at right-back for Chelsea