‘Exceptional’: Pat Nevin likens 19-year-old Chelsea FC star to Branislav Ivanovic
Chelsea FC legend Pat Nevin is excited about Reece James' potential
Pat Nevin says Chelsea FC teenager Reece James is an exceptional talent, adding that the full-back reminds him of Branislav Ivanovic.
The 19-year-old earned plenty of plaudits for his performance in Chelsea FC’s 2-0 win against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
James acquitted himself well against one of the Premier League’s best wingers, Wilfried Zaha, in a gung-ho battle between the pair.
The England Under-21 international scored his first Champions League goal earlier this month when he netted the equaliser in a 4-4 draw with Ajax.
James has netted two goals in nine games in all competitions in his fledgling Chelsea FC career so far.
Former Blues winger Nevin is excited about the English full-back’s potential.
“He is definitely [a serious prospect]. Branislav Ivanovic was the same player. That’s a big compliment. He’s exceptional for his age,” Nevin told the Off The Ball podcast on Irish radio station Newstalk.
The Blues star has made one start and three substitute appearances in the Premier League season so far.
The Chelsea FC youth graduate has scored one goal in three Champions League fixtures this term.
James has been at Chelsea FC since the age of six, when he joined the west London outfit’s academy back in 2006.
The Chelsea FC number 24 was part of Blues teams that won the FA Youth Cup in 2017 and 2018.
The Blues are in third position in the Premier League table following a run of seven successive victories.
