Chelsea star Reece James has huge ambitions of captaining the club one day, according to his father Nigel, with the current role vacant following the exit of Cesar Azpilicueta.
The 23-year-old has an 18-year association with the Blues, having joined at just six-years-old and working his way through the academy ranks. A successful loan spell at Wigan saw him return to Stamford Bridge, where then-manager Frank Lampard brought him into the first-team setup.
James managed to shine alongside his fellow academy graduates as the likes of Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham were given a chance during a transfer ban. However, the band of stars that made their way through in recent years have all taken different routes.
Tomori and Abraham made their way to Italy and the Serie A, joining AC Milan and AS Roma respectively, each winning trophies in their time there. Mount and James on the other hand, looked set for a lengthy stay in West London after cementing themselves as key starters.
However, that would take a key twist this summer as Mount made the move from Chelsea to Manchester United for a transfer fee worth up to £60 million. With just one-year left on his deal and no sign of progress on an extension, the midfielder pushed towards an exit.
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That's despite being labelled as captain material just a few years ago, with questions from fans over the current squad and the loyalty from players. With a host of exits, some to close rivals, there's still been a key figure sticking around and pushing towards the future with Chelsea in James.
Another youth star that has been linked with the captaincy, the England international could be an option for the armband this summer under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino. The loss of Azpilicueta means the role is vacant and there are currently questions over who may fill the void.
As outlined by Nigel James, father of Reece James, the captaincy at Chelsea is a huge ambition of the defender as he told The Beautiful Game podcast: "His ambition is to wear the armband and captain the side. It's broke his heart the season that we've had, sort of thing, just gone.
"And you know, coming off the pitch losing games, it real hurt him, sort of thing. I'm sure it hurt a lot of players, but I can't speak for the others, all I can speak for is for knowing how painful it was for my son."
It outlines the dedication to the club that is held by James and the values that are followed by such a key player when he is available. Whether that will make him a captain for the club this summer, it remains to be seen, but it suggests there's an ability to take the club forward regardless of roles.
