Chelsea star Reece James makes Champions League admission Enzo Maresca will love ahead of Bayern

Chelsea captain Reece James has admitted he hopes to win the Champions League again ahead of a "super tough" game against Bayern Munich.

The 25-year-old was part of the side that won the competition against Manchester City in 2021 and is dreaming of similar success this time round. Fresh off the back of winning the Conference League and Club World Cup last season, Chelsea are back amongst Europe's elite and kick off their league phase campaign against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.

With the likes of Harry Kane, Luis Diaz and Michael Olise in their ranks, Bayern will fancy their chances at the Allianz Arena. But James knows the quality his own side possesses and is looking forward to playing in the Champions League again after a two-year hiatus.

"The Champions League is where the club belongs," James told Chelsea's official website. "We’re happy to be back playing against the best teams and competing in the best competitions, because we haven’t been in this one for the last two seasons."

He added: "[Bayern] are always super strong. They are a European giant, and they have won the competition before and know what it takes. So, it will be a super tough game."

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After Bayern, Chelsea have games against Benfica, Ajax, Qarabag, Barcelona, Atalanta, Pafos and Napoli to come. James knows how hard qualifying for the knockout stages will be but believes the club are in a good position following their European success last season.

"Captaining Chelsea was always something I dreamt of, especially in the Champions League," the England international said. "Having been here a while now, and seeing the change and how we've had to adapt, we’re in a good position.

"We finished last season super strong, and I hope this season we can build on that. I don’t look at what other people say; we can achieve anything as long as we understand and believe. We know we can go far with the team we have. That’s all that matters."

He added: "It was the best feeling. Winning the Champions League...many people didn’t believe in us at the time, but we did it.

"Every round that year, we felt like everyone made us the underdog – even in the final. But we went on to win it. I won it so young, and I didn’t expect to win it so early into my career, but I hope to win it again. That was the most special night."

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