During his playing days, few midfielders could influence games from the middle of the pitch like Alonso. He had an unrivalled range of passing, read the game expertly, and was the orchestrator in teams that won league titles, the Champions League, European Championships, and the World Cup.

Naturally, the tactical demands on midfielders have evolved since Alonso hung up his boots in 2017. Yet the qualities and attributes needed to thrive remain similar – and the Chelsea manager believes James has these in abundance.

The 26-year-old also brings leadership and connection; James, a boyhood fan, is now into his fourth season as captain.

The sight of the England international in the Chelsea midfield is nothing new. It's where he started as we defeated Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup and a position he starred in last term in a game against Arsenal, today's opponents at the Emirates Stadium.

And it was before our trip to north London that Alonso was asked whether James, one of the best right-backs in world football, could achieve the same status in midfield.

‘I would say so,' the Blues manager replied. 'He is very comfortable and confident playing in that position. He has the intelligence to play there because, in the middle, you need to be able to connect with your team-mates and know what the best thing to do is before you get the ball.

'He has this awareness. I remember him playing very, very well playing in the middle. So we are using him and he will have a lot of minutes as a midfielder.’

Alonso added: ‘For me, physically, when he is fresh and prepared, he has shown he can compete in the Premier League – no issue.

'As a midfielder, you have to take a lot of easy decisions and many right decisions. You are very connected to the game and are close to the action. Walking is not possible.

'So Reece is very involved in the game and knows where he needs to be. He has the capacity to help the team-mates around him and that is very important to me because he has this presence where he has respect from his teammates. When he says something, they listen and they follow him.'

In our opening three matches of the campaign, Alonso has used several different midfield combinations. James was partnered by Lavia against Fulham and then featured alongside Valentin Barco in our Carabao Cup win over Luton Town.

Last time out, against Brighton and Hove Albion, James stepped out of the side and it was left to Lavia and Malo Gusto to hold down the middle of the pitch.

‘You plan the squad knowing the profiles you have and some players can play in different positions,' Alonso explained.

'Reece can play in the middle, and Malo Gusto can play in the middle and other positions as well. We look at the squad and feel we are good to go.

'If we have injuries and suspensions, we feel we will be able to manage. So that is why we feel we are in a good position.'