Reece James Flattered By Comparisons To Beckham

Many football fans and pundits have likened James’ crossing skills to that of Beckham, who is considered as one of the best ever dead-ball specialists in football.

The 20-year-old is the latest Chelsea youth to burst onto the scene this season, having been loaned out to play for Championship side Wigan Athletic last season.

Fresh from signing a new long-term contract with his boyhood club, the English right-back said though he is delighted to be mentioned in the same sentence with Beckham, he still needs to put his head down and work even harder to improve.

"I have always been quite good at passing when I have been on the ball and crossing is not too different from passing,” James told the official club website.

“If you are playing in a position where crossing is a main key area of the game it is important, and the more I do it, the better I am going to get.”

"David Beckham is a legend and probably one of the best crossers of the ball there has been in world football. To be mentioned in the same sentence as his crossing is very good for me but he did it for many years and I have to respect what he did."

"I have only done it for a few games. A lot of people have said about it but I need to maintain it and keep on improving. If there is a free-kick there and it is for me, I would not put it past me. It is similar skill, not too much difference.