Joe Cole wants ‘world-class’ Chelsea star back in England squad

Joe Cole wants ‘world-class’ Chelsea star Reece James back playing for England following his latest revival at Stamford Bridge.

James missed the first three months of the season through injury and then suffered another setback in November which ruled him out for another two months.

Enzo Maresca has understandably been cautious with James’ workload since his return from the treatment room but gave him 90 minutes on Thursday night in the Europa Conference League.

James captained Chelsea in the first leg of their last-16 tie against Copenhagen and it was the England international who broke the deadlock out in Denmark with a crisp strike from outside the box.

Enzo Fernandez doubled Chelsea’s lead on the hour mark before Gabriel Pereira’s goal gave Copenhagen hope of a comeback ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea hero Cole was impressed by James’ performance against the Danish side and said the ‘world-class’ 25-year-old had ‘so much to offer’ both his club and country.

James has earned 16 caps since making his England debut in 2020 but none since 2023, mainly due to his reoccurring injury issues, though there is also substantial competition in the right-back position.

New England boss Thomas Tuchel will name his first squad next week and Cole hopes there is a place for James, who played in midfield against Copenhagen.

‘He will have the respect of every player at Chelsea because of what he can do technically and physically,’ Cole told TNT Sports after the 2-1 win.

‘When he was at his best, he was as good as anyone in the world, no doubt about that. It’s just about him finding his inner peace and managing him into games.

‘He can play in midfield, he did it when he was on loan at Wigan and got Player of the Year there as a young kid. He looks comfortable there.

‘He’s got so much to offer Chelsea and so much to offer England. It’s so great to see him impacting the game like he did tonight.

‘Don’t give up on Reece James because there is still a real, real world-class player in there who can be a massive player for Chelsea and England. Hopefully he can keep going now.’

Blues captain James, meanwhile, was pleased with Chelsea’s victory in Denmark as Maresca’s side put one foot in the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.

‘It’s a big step in the right direction,’ he said. ‘This is a tough place to come, the atmosphere is amazing and they set up well.

‘It’s always frustrating to concede late on – we wanted to keep a clean sheet tonight – but we got the win.

‘It’s always good to score and help the team. It will be another huge game next week because we really want to advance and win this competition.’

Maresca praised ‘fantastic player James after Chelsea took control of their last-16 tie and discussed his role as a midfielder.

‘He is in a very good mood,’ the Stamford Bridge boss said. ‘He played very good against Aston Villa and again tonight.

‘We know how important he is for us; he is our captain, a fantastic player but we all know the most important thing for Reece is that we need him fit.

‘It is our duty and our target to keep him fit until the end because for sure, he is going to help us.

‘Tonight, again, he played very good, scored a goal. He can play in many positions because the good players can play in many positions.

‘At this moment, we are using him as a midfielder and he is doing very well.

‘When I signed with Chelsea, probably the day after, I sent him a video about seeing him as a midfielder.

‘I see Reece as a midfielder, not now – since day one, before I met him for the first time, he was on holiday. I sent him a clip about him playing as a midfielder.

‘I mentioned Reece playing as a midfielder a long time ago. He is playing there now but the good thing is he played this year already as a full-back, as a centre-back and in the central midfielder.

‘The main target for us is to help him be fit all season.’

Chelsea return to Premier League action this weekend against relegation-battlers Leicester City before preparing for their crucial European clash in west London.

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