Frank Lampard names ‘special player’ who needs to start for England at the World Cup

Frank Lampard believes that Reece James is one of the best right-backs in the world and should be starting for England at the World Cup.

The Blues legend was the man to hand James his Chelsea debut in the League Cup, Champions League and Premier League when he was just 19.

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The right-back has gone on to become the Blues captain and a full England international.

He is currently out with a hamstring injury, but it’s expected he’ll return before the end of the season.

That means he should be fit in time for the World Cup, and Lampard was full of praise for James when he joined talkSPORT Breakfast for an exclusive interview.

Speaking to Jeff Stelling and Gabby Agbonlahor, he was asked about James’ role in the England team.

He said: “Without picking Thomas’ squad for him – I think Reece James is one of the best right-backs in the world without a doubt.

“I want to see him fit and playing again because he’s a special player.”

Before that, he spoke about their first spell together at Chelsea.

“What an incredible player and incredible lad. I have been really pleased with how he’s taken to the captaincy there as well because I feel like he’s grown.

“He was always quite a quiet lad, Reece. He kept himself to himself, but when you did speak to him, he was very articulate.

“But the quality level when I first went to Chelsea, you immediately saw his talent level.

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“I have never seen someone who gets a 70-yard crossfield ball, brings it down on his chest and can then do whatever he wants.

“But he’s also got that pace and power, so he’s massively important for Chelsea – you can see that when he’s not playing.

“He’s managed to play a lot more this season.”

James’ growth

Since making that debut as a teenager, James has won the Champions League, Conference League and Club World Cup with Chelsea.

He lifted the Club World Cup trophy and Conference League as skipper.

James has made 226 appearances for Chelsea, which could have been so many more should he have avoided injury.

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But still, there is no question that he is one of the best full-backs around, and if fit, he’ll be key for England.

England’s World Cup chances

Thomas Tuchel takes England to the World Cup in June with the Three Lions one of the favourites to claim victory.

But there will be plenty of competition with France, Spain and Germany all boasting stacked squads.

Argentina, Portugal and Brazil will also be in contention, while Japan and Senegal look to be dark horses.

And Lampard is feeling confident.

On the World Cup itself, Lampard said: “I think we’ve got a good chance, but there are a lot of other good teams in it.

“It is the age-old question I always get about why we didn’t win World Cups, and part of the answer is because other teams were really good too.

“There are other teams that are competing and will know the conditions better, but we do have lots of good talent in our squad.

“So, we have a really good chance of doing it. It will be about momentum and about keeping the right players fit and getting them ready at the right time.

“But as an Englishman, I go there thinking we’ve got a really good chance.”