Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has revealed the toughest opponent he came up against last season was Chelsea captain Reece James.
James endured an injury ravaged campaign and spent best part of five months out with a hamstring injury he picked up in December, which he underwent surgery on.
The 24-year-old returned to action late in the campaign and made a brilliant impact off the bench against Nottingham Forest as he delivered the match winning assist for Nicolas Jackson, but unfortunately James got sent off in the next game against Brighton meaning he will be suspended for the first three games of next season.
Doku names James as toughest opponent
In the appearances the England international has managed this season he’s demonstrated what a good player he is both defensively and going forward.
One of the Chelsea academy graduate’s best performances was in the scintillating 4-4 draw with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, where he dealt with the threat of tricky winger Doku.
Doku, who has just completed his first season with City, in which he won the Premier League has revealed that James was the toughest opponent he had come up against.
“I’ve played against so many good defenders”, Doku told Sport Bible.
“Now it’s become so much more difficult with teams playing more defensively.
“I’d say Reece James, I think he is a very strong defender, and one of the hardest I’ve ever played against.”
It’s not the first time James has been praised by opposition players with the right back also praised by Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr.
Next season is massive for James, who now has the whole summer off having not been called up by Gareth Southgate for the Euros.
James has got to stay fit for the majority of the season, something he’s not managed since he was on loan at Wigan Athletic in the early part of his career.
A fit James is such an asset to Chelsea, and ultimately a game changer, with the 24-year-old arguably the best right back in the world when at his best.
