Peter Reid claims Everton ignored his transfer advice over Chelsea captain

Everton legend Peter Reid has claimed he recommended Chelsea and England star Reece James to his former club before the defender made his big breakthrough.

James is now Chelsea captain and a regular for the Three Lions.. But his first appearances as a professional came in the 2018-19 campaign when he spent the season on loan at Wigan Athletic in the Championship.

James was a roaring success at the Latics, where Reid was working with then manager Paul Cook. And the Goodison Park great has claimed he got in touch with then Everton director Marcel Brands over the right-back.

"I'm reliably informed Brands went and watched him and said he's not good enough for Everton, but I disagreed," said Reid. "The kid was gold."

Reid was speaking at launch of the William Hill Goodison Park shop, next to the Blues' home ground. And he also had his say on the summer business done by the club he helped to glory at home and in Europe in the 80s.

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He said: "Ashley Young is 38 but he's a safe bet. He can go in and do a job for us." Reid added that while he did not know a lot about Youssef Chermiti and Arnaut Danjuma, he believes they will add the youthful energy he feels Everton have been lacking in recent seasons.

Last season, the Blues survived relegation with a final-day victory over Bournemouth, having also narrowly avoided the drop 12 months earlier. Reid, who has tipped the Blues to finish 13th this season, gave his full support to Sean Dyche, but added: "‘We've stayed up over the last two seasons because of the fans."

The 2022-23 campaign could be the last full season Everton play at