New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has explained why he chose Reece James as the new club captain.
A new era at Chelsea gets underway on Sunday evening when they open their Premier League campaign against rivals Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Not only will the Blues have new manager in Pochettino, there will be a new club captain following the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta.
Read: Official: Man Utd announce first-team departure
"I think he's not only a player that can be a leader, because he's a leader with his character, his qualities," Pochettino said, as per the club's official website.
"He's a person also that's going to be the future of the club. He came through the Academy. I think for us, for me and for the club, he's a perfect player, person, to be a captain."
The former Tottenham Hotspur coach is also glad to be back in the Premier League.
"I feel really good. It's so exciting to come back to the Premier League. We are really busy because it is a period when we are so busy with the pre-season and everything, but I am so happy, so excited and I can't wait to be here on Sunday to start the competition."
"I miss the Premier League because of the organisation and it's really competitive, every week it's so competitive. Even when you play in the cups, it's really competitive, even against League One, Two or Championship teams.
"The fans live the game. When you go away from this environment, you really feel a bit lost because football here is amazing. How people, you the media, translate to the fans, it's the perfect combination."