As a young boy, Reece James had a dream of playing for Chelsea Football Club. He signed up for the club’s academy at the age of eight and began his journey towards achieving his goal. However, his path to success was not without its challenges. In fact, James has revealed that he was on the verge of being released by Chelsea as a teenager.
Despite being one of the club’s most successful academy graduates today, James was not always considered a star player. In fact, he admits that he was “probably one of the worst in the group” at one point. Chelsea were unsure of how he would develop and were considering letting him go.
However, the club took a gamble on James and offered him a professional contract. This proved to be a wise decision, as James went on to become a key player for Chelsea’s senior team. Today, he is one of the first names on the teamsheet for manager Graham Potter and a regular member of the England national team.
James made his senior debut for Chelsea in September 2019, in a Carabao Cup tie against Grimsby Town. He also scored his first goal in that game. He went on to make 36 appearances during the rest of the season, establishing himself as a vital player despite his young age.
The following season saw James win the Champions League with Chelsea, having played a crucial role in the final against Manchester City. He also helped the team win the Super Cup and Club World Cup. However, injuries have hindered his progress in recent months.
Despite these setbacks, James remains committed to his dream of playing for Chelsea and achieving success with the team. He credits his success to hard work and perseverance, and encourages other young players to do the same.
James’ story is an inspiring one, and serves as a reminder that success is not always easy or straightforward. It takes hard work, dedication, and a willingness to overcome challenges and setbacks along the way. For those who are willing to put in the effort, however, anything is possible.