Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has named his teammate and captain, Reece James, as his football idol, revealing his admiration began after watching James' stellar performance in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final.

The Ecuadorian international, speaking to UEFA's YouTube channel, expressed deep respect for the 25-year-old England defender who has become an influential figure at Stamford Bridge despite battling injuries in recent seasons.

"I see how he trains, and I see how he plays in games. I also watched him before joining Chelsea," Caicedo said. "In the UEFA Champions League final, he was fantastic. I think he's been an idol for many people for a long time – me included."

The Champions League final Caicedo referenced saw Chelsea defeat Manchester City 1-0 in 2021, with James playing a crucial role in the victory that secured the London club's second European Cup.

James, widely regarded as one of England's most promising talents, has endured a difficult period with injuries, missing approximately 60 matches over the past two seasons. However, the defender has shown resilience this campaign, featuring in 26 games across all competitions while contributing two goals and two assists from his defensive position.

The Chelsea captain is set to lead his team in another European final on Wednesday when the Blues face Real Betis in the UEFA Europa Conference League final in Poland. This represents an opportunity for James to add another European trophy to his collection and further cement his status as a Chelsea icon.

Caicedo's admiration for James highlights the defender's influence within the Chelsea squad, particularly among younger players who view him as both a leader and a role model despite his own relatively young age of 25.