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The Chelsea captain affirmed that his team steps back into the European elite with full confidence in their capability to battle with the planet's elite.

Emerging Squad Meets Early Test at Bayern's Home

Under the Italian manager, the refreshed squad are set onto the elite platform after a two-year absence. Their first test will be the Bundesliga titans on Wednesday evening. However the captain isn't worried concerning their lack of know-how.

He pointed to July’s Club World Cup as proof that the Blues stand as real threats for the European crown.

Past Lessons

"It’s still early," stated the skipper. "I have no doubts in the team’s ability to compete against the best in Europe and the world. We will take it week by week and evaluate how far we've come at the end."

Chelsea's captain is no stranger in top European games. He recalled a painful defeat facing Munich back in 2020, when the Bavarians eased past Chelsea in the last 16.

"The biggest lessons after setbacks," said the England international. "I encountered this team previously and we were outclassed. Such encounters build character and will help ahead of the upcoming match."

Evolving Team

After the exit abroad, he remains the last survivor from Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League title-winning side. "The club has seen lots of change," he said. "I don't view it as negative. Previously we earned entry among Europe's best and claimed a double. The team has grown."

Unexpected Move

The captain admitted he was shocked over the temporary move involving the striker to Bayern Munich. The Senegal international is available against his parent club this week.

"I didn’t see it coming," James revealed. "I believe the player sought a move and management found a solution. I don't know the details, but he is a top professional."

Inside Knowledge

Manager Enzo Maresca admitted that Nicolas may provide Bayern tips about Chelsea's approach. "It might be a slight advantage as he knows how we work, how we plan," commented the Chelsea boss. "He was with one entire year in the squad, so he understands the way we play."

The coach additionally rejected any suggestions of a strained relationship between them. "I didn't experience any friction with him, and that hasn't changed," Maresca said. "He is a hard worker, focused, and always trained well with us."

Maresca also expressed hope that the attacker can recover to start following recovery from a fitness concern.