Xabi Alonso has made a huge prediction about Reece James, backing the Chelsea captain to become one of the world’s best midfielders.
The Chelsea boss knows exactly what it takes to dominate from the middle of the pitch.
During his decorated playing career, Alonso established himself as one of the finest midfielders of his generation, winning league titles, the Champions League, the European Championship and the World Cup.
Now, he sees qualities in James that could allow the England international to reach a similar level in midfield.
James has traditionally been regarded as one of the world’s leading right-backs, but his ability to influence games from central areas has increasingly caught Alonso’s attention.
The 26-year-old has already shown that he can operate effectively in midfield, including during Chelsea’s Club World Cup victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
He also impressed in the position against Arsenal last season, making Saturday’s clash at the Emirates another intriguing opportunity for Alonso to deploy his captain centrally.
Asked whether James could become one of the world’s best midfielders, Alonso did not hesitate.
“I would say so,” the Blues manager replied. “He is very comfortable and confident playing in that position. He has the intelligence to play there because, in the middle, you need to be able to connect with your team-mates and know what the best thing to do is before you get the ball.
“He has this awareness. I remember him playing very, very well playing in the middle. So we are using him and he will have a lot of minutes as a midfielder.”
That endorsement is significant coming from Alonso, whose understanding of the midfield position was a defining feature of his career.
For James, the challenge is now to turn that potential into consistency.
Alonso believes the physical demands of the Premier League are not an obstacle for his captain when he is fully prepared.
“For me, physically, when he is fresh and prepared, he has shown he can compete in the Premier League – no issue.
“As a midfielder, you have to take a lot of easy decisions and many right decisions. You are very connected to the game and are close to the action. Walking is not possible.
“So Reece is very involved in the game and knows where he needs to be. He has the capacity to help the team-mates around him and that is very important to me because he has this presence where he has respect from his teammates. When he says something, they listen and they follow him.”
That final point could prove just as important as James’ technical ability.
He is not simply another player in Alonso’s midfield plans. James is Chelsea’s captain, a boyhood supporter of the club and now entering his fourth season wearing the armband.
His leadership gives Alonso another dimension to work with.
Chelsea have already shown plenty of flexibility in midfield this season. James partnered Lavia against Fulham before featuring alongside Valentin Barco in the Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town.
Against Brighton and Hove Albion, James was left out of the midfield, with Lavia and Malo Gusto operating centrally.
Alonso sees that versatility as a major strength rather than a problem.
“You plan the squad knowing the profiles you have and some players can play in different positions,” Alonso explained.
“Reece can play in the middle, and Malo Gusto can play in the middle and other positions as well. We look at the squad and feel we are good to go.
“If we have injuries and suspensions, we feel we will be able to manage. So that is why we feel we are in a good position.”
The message from Alonso is clear.
He does not view James’ move into midfield as a temporary experiment. The Chelsea manager believes his captain has the intelligence, physical ability, awareness and authority to make the position his own.
For a player already considered among the elite at right-back, the prospect of becoming a world-class midfielder could take James’ career to another level.
And with Alonso now putting his faith in him, Chelsea supporters could be about to see a very different version of their captain.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
