The international break has given Chelsea players an opportunity to go off and prove their worth while playing for their country, and Reece James is the latest Blue to find success.
A number of his Chelsea teammates have already impressed with their respective nations. Joao Pedro and Estevao Willian starred in Brazil’s latest victory.
The England squad is actually a bit lower on Blues players than it would be normally, with Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill absent from the squad due to injuries.
One of their former regular representatives was Noni Madueke, with him now plying his trade with local rivals Arsenal after Mikel Arteta targeted the winger.
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty ImagesNoni Madueke praises former Chelsea teammate Reece James
Madueke impressed in their most recent game against Liverpool, and this seemed to convince England manager Thomas Tuchel to hand him a start in England’s World Cup qualifier against Andorra.
Despite a laboured performance from the Three Lions, the Chelsea captain impressed with a moment of quality, seeing him gain praise from former teammate Madueke in their first appearance together since the exit.
He said: “First and foremost, it is good to get the win and a clean sheet. Of course, we knew what type of game it was going to be. Sometimes it was frustrating. It is about getting the goals. The team won, so I am happy.
“He [Thomas Tuchel] wants us to be direct. That was a great example of it [England’s second goal]. Reece [James] top quality, and it was a great cross and a great finish from Dec [Rice].”
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty ImagesReece James making his case to Thomas Tuchel
Despite strong competition for a place at right-back in the England team, it seems the Chelsea man is the one who has gained the faith of the England manager so far.
Darren Bent named James in his strongest England side, and it is clear that the prior relationship between him and Tuchel is working in his favour.
The skipper seems to have been playing in the full-back role more often this season, after Enzo Maresca utilised him in central midfield throughout last season.
However, there has been a clear aim to protect him after his most recent return from injury. He has started just one game of the 2025/26 campaign so far for Chelsea.