Cesar Azpilicueta backs Reece James to be 'very important player' for Chelsea

Cesar Azpilicueta is expecting Reece James to become an 'important player' for Chelsea in the future. James is part of the first team this season under Frank Lampard after he had a superb season on loan at Wigan Athletic. The 19-year-old is expected to put Azpilicueta under some real pressure when he gets back to full fitness in the coming weeks. "When he came he was already used to the way we play. After he arrived, I was playing as a centre back so he was training on the right next to me," Azpilicueta said. “It was easy for me to get close to him and help him with the movements and to get used to the way we play. "I am here to help everybody and he is an amazing kid. He has a very good mentality. No one has any doubts about his talent on the pitch and hopefully, he can be a very important player. We have a lot of talents in Chelsea and I know that everyone is excited about the young players and the English players. I think Chelsea has been the most successful academy team. "We are doing a very, very good job with the kids and now I think even more kids are getting promoted to the first team and that's what we maybe lacked a few years ago. We were winning the trophies but maybe not getting the players into the first team. Last year, [Ethan] Ampadu and [Callum] Hudson-Odoi in at 17. "I think it is one of those things that everyone has their time. It has happened for a few of them. Callum went straight into the first team and it is not very easy to do it. Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] went to Crystal Palace on loan. Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Reece James - I think they are having their step to get into the first team. When you see the loan team in Cobham working very hard, getting close to them and helping them. I think it is very good and I am pleased with their results as we are seeing it help the first team."

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