UCL: Rio Ferdinand names ‘ridiculous talent’ in Chelsea’s squad after 3-3 draw with Zenit

Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand, has identified defender Reece James as a ‘ridiculous talent’ in Chelsea’s squad following the Blues’ Champions League 3-3 draw with Zenit at St Petersburg on Wednesday night.

A brace from Timo Werner and a strike from Romelu Lukaku ensured Chelsea played a draw against Zenit.

However, Claudinho, Sardar Azmoun and Magomed Ozdoyev did score for the host in Russia.

During the encounter, Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, featured right-sided defender, James in an unusual central midfield role, with N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic injured and Ruben Loftus-Cheek rested.

But Ferdinand believes James was dominating, passing and breaking things up during the encounter.

Speaking about James, Ferdinard told BT Sport, “He’s a ridiculous talent.

“We spoke about right-backs in this country with huge talent dictating games – he went into midfield and looked like he’d been playing there all his life. He was dominating, passing, breaking things up.

“He’s an integral part of the team there. You win games in the central midfield area a lot of the time, that battle in there. He’s gone in there in a Champions League game and produced a performance that is getting people talking about him.

‘Only top players can do that, those that are intelligent enough to adapt to different positions. You don’t worry about those players. The way Reece goes into different areas of the pitch when he receives it in the middle of the pitch, he looks so comfortable.”