We do not fear Bayern Munich, says captain Reece James as his side ‘can compete against the best’ in the world.
Reece James does not fear Bayern test as Chelsea ‘can compete against the best’.
Chelsea would return to the Champions League with confidence that they could compete with the world’s top clubs, according to Reece James.
After two years away from the highest table in Europe, Enzo Maresca’s young team will be put to the test on Wednesday when they play Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena to start the league phase. James, however, accepts that Chelsea is a contender to win the European championship because of their success in the Club World Cup in July and is not concerned about their inexperience.
“It’s still early,” Chelsea’s captain said. “I have no doubts in the club and the team’s ability to go on to compete against the best teams in Europe and the world. We will take that week by week, game by game, and see where we’ve gone at the end of the season.”
James has plenty of experience in this field. Five years ago, he remembered suffering against Bayern when the Bundesliga team defeated Chelsea 7-1 overall in the round of sixteen.
“You learn more when you don’t come out on top,” the right-back said. “I played against these in 2020 and they destroyed us. Days like that we learn a lot and nights like that will help me go into tomorrow’s game.”
Ben Chilwell’s departure to Strasbourg this month has left James as the last surviving member of the team that won the Champions League in 2021. “The club’s had lots of change,” James said. “I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a bad thing. Last season we qualified for this competition and we went on to achieve two trophies. We’ve come on.”