Chelsea right-back Reece James has named Manchester City's Raheem Sterling as the toughest opponent he has faced.

The 20-year-old has made 26 appearances for the Blues this season and became the club's youngest Champions League goalscorer when he scored their fourth in the 4-4 draw at home to Ajax.

His impressive form has been rewarded by Frank Lampard, who has trusted him on several occasions this term and when asked who his toughest opponent was, James admitted that no player has stretched him more than Sterling.

  • "He's got mad pace"

"Probably Sterling, I would have to say," he said via The Mirror.

"He's got made pace and is so sharp off the ball."

The pairs' only meeting was brief and came in Chelsea's 2-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the season. 

James came on as a substitute for the last 30 minutes of the match.

  • "Great playing under a Chelsea legend"

Frank Lampard's appointment has been a key to the frequent use of academy products like James this season, with the likes of Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham enjoyed plenty of Premier League minutes.

James expects to grow a lot during his tenure with the prospect of becoming a star for the club.

"It's great playing under a Chelsea legend," he continued.

"When I was supporting the club and growing up he was one of the leaders in the team so for him to manage you, and show you things that he learned within his game, a lot of people listen and you can learn a lot from him."​​​​​​​