Fans go crazy for throwback picture of a current Chelsea star with a gleaming smile on visit to club

'Once a Blue always a Blue' is a saying that is often banded around Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea fans have delighted in the club sharing a heartwarming photo of a current player in his youth and seemingly already in love with the club.

The club posted a snap on Instagram of a gleeful child sat in the dugout on a visit to Chelsea's home ground with a huge gold medal around his neck and seemingly revelling in the opportunity to take in the occasion with friends around him.

But instead of making followers guess who the happy boy in the photo was, the club revealed all by tagging the player that the boy has grown into, which only endeared him further to the Chelsea fans.

The player in question is right-back Reece James, who made his debut for Frank Lampard's men in September last year having come through the academy after joining the club in 2006.

Fans replied to the post with several glowing messages, with one stating: 'Best right back in the Premier League,' while another added: '2020-30 will be a Chelsea decade'.

James has since gone on to become one of the club's shining lights, and is also the club's youngest ever goalscorer in the Champions League, netting in the incredible 4-4 draw with Ajax last season.

He signed a new contract with Chelsea just a few months after making his first-team breakthrough, committing his future to the club until 2025 in January this year.

James then received his first England call-up last month and made his debut in the 3-0 win against Wales at Wembley.

The post of James as a young boy comes after admiration from former Blues right-back Glen Johnson, who described him as a 'better defender' than Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Speaking about which player should be No 1 choice for England, Johnson said: 'It depends on who you're playing against of course, but I think Reece James is a better defender. I think he's quicker, stronger.

'Trent is great on the ball, he's a great footballer, and he's very smart and a lot wiser than his age suggests.

'But in international football, you get a lot more time on the ball, so I think Trent would be No 1, but Reece would be a fantastic back-up.'

James also netted his first Premier League goal for the club in their first game of the season, a 3-1 win at Brighton.