Former Chelsea and England star Joe Cole has called for Reece James to be reinstated in the England squad following his impressive performance in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over FC Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League.

James, 25, has endured a challenging season plagued by injuries, missing the first three months before suffering another setback in November that sidelined him for another two months. 

However, under Enzo Maresca’s cautious management, the Chelsea captain played the full 90 minutes in Thursday’s crucial European tie and made a significant impact.

Leading the team as captain, James opened the scoring with a brilliant strike from outside the box, setting Chelsea on course for a vital away win. Enzo Fernandez later doubled the lead before Gabriel Pereira pulled one back for Copenhagen.

Cole, who was analysing the game for TNT Sports, expressed his admiration for James’ abilities and emphasised his potential to be a key figure for both Chelsea and England.

“He will have the respect of every player at Chelsea because of what he can do technically and physically,” Cole said. 

“When he was at his best, he was as good as anyone in the world, no doubt about that.”

Despite earning 16 England caps since his debut in 2020, James has not featured for the national team since 2023 due to persistent injuries and fierce competition in the right-back position. With new England boss Thomas Tuchel set to announce his first squad next week, Cole believes James deserves a place.

“It’s just about him finding his inner peace and managing him into games,” Cole continued. “He can play in midfield, he did it when he was on loan at Wigan and got Player of the Year there as a young kid. He looks comfortable there.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been easing James back into action, and his standout display against Copenhagen suggests he is rediscovering his best form. His versatility was also on display, as he operated in midfield during the game, showcasing his adaptability.

Cole is convinced that, if managed correctly, James can regain his world-class level and become an asset for England once again.

“He’s got so much to offer Chelsea and so much to offer England,” Cole added. “It’s so great to see him impacting the game like he did tonight.”

Sending a message to Tuchel and England supporters, he concluded: “Don’t give up on Reece James because there is still a real, real world-class player in there who can be a massive player for Chelsea and England. Hopefully, he can keep going now.”

With Chelsea aiming for success in Europe and James steadily regaining fitness, all eyes will be on whether Tuchel hands him a long-awaited England recall when he names his squad next week.