Tony Cascarino has been hugely impressed by Chelsea’s defensive improvements owing to the yeoman’s job by Reece James and Thiago Silva.

The two defenders have both made themselves undroppable in the early weeks of the season.

And ex-Blues ace wrote in The Times: “I have been impressed by how Reece James has improved,” wrote Cascarino.

“His attacking attributes were clear last year but when it came to choosing whether to stay back or surge forwards, the right back’s judgement was questionable.

“The defensive side of his game has come on in leaps and bounds and I am sure the arrival of Thiago Silva has helped.

“Chelsea have been crying out for an organiser at the back and [he] is looking more and more like the bargain of the season.”