The Blues put in a second fine display in three days in the VisitMalta Weekender, racing into a two-goal lead and never looking back. That new signings Joao Pedro and Liam Delap were on the scoresheet only added to the positive feeling in SW6.

With the big kick-off against Crystal Palace a week away now, James says the Chelsea camp are in great spirits.

‘We finished last season really strongly with two trophies, and there’s a really good feeling at the club at the moment,’ stated James.

‘We’ve had a difficult period in the last couple of years, but we’ve come a long way. This season, everyone is excited and we believe we are in a strong position. We are confident; we are world champions.’

The skipper, who was superb against Milan, says our newest acquisitions are all ‘great additions to the team’ and have ‘started well’ in blue.

He is not wrong. The strengthening of the squad is one of several reasons why James is so optimistic.

‘We are Chelsea Football Club. This club is meant to be somewhere near the top of the Premier League, challenging for titles.

‘We will try to do our best this season to get our hands on trophies and compete with the best.’