When wondering what questions might be asked by a group of journalists at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground yesterday, Reece James and England’s press officer could have been forgiven for expecting at least one on his injury history.
But it never came up. Not once. Whereas previously his problems would have been the obvious theme in such a sit-down, James is now healthy, injury-free since a hamstring issue this time last year, and a favourite of Thomas Tuchel’s ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
Instead, we discussed that upcoming tournament, the heat and humidity of the United States, sharing a stage with Donald Trump at the Club World Cup, Tuchel’s man-management skills and, crucially, how he has become much more of a leader over the last two seasons.
Sources within Chelsea say they have seen a positive change in their 25-year-old right back throughout his period of sustained fitness. Manager Enzo Maresca criticised his lack of leadership midway through their last campaign, while James found it challenging acting as club captain when he was unable to step foot on a field after his hamstring failed him again.
That was then. Now, there is a newfound confidence and an increasing authority to James which comes with his consistent presence in the changing room at Cobham and Stamford Bridge.
For example, he has taken to policing a new rule among Chelsea’s players in previous weeks. When the half-time whistle goes, his team-mates are no longer allowed to walk down the tunnel individually, in dribs and drabs and as stragglers. Instead, James has them gather together as a group before walking in as one. He believes it is important; that it shows they are a team.
Reece James has got his mojo back and looks a shoo-in to start for England at the World Cup
The Chelsea captain has finally got over his injury issues and has played a key role this season
There is a newfound confidence and an increasing authority to James which comes with his consistent presence in the changing room at Cobham (above) and Stamford Bridge
James does not think it can all come from him, however. He wants others setting high standards via what Chelsea call their ‘leadership group’. Previously, Marcus Bettinelli was a main member, despite the third-choice goalkeeper making only one appearance in his four years with the Blues. The 33-year-old left for Manchester City in the summer. Now, James has Tosin Adarabioyo, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo as his senior deputies under Maresca.
While he carries a chilled persona off the pitch – indeed, he made our dictaphones work extra hard to pick up what he was saying while sitting in the lobby of Spurs’ training complex on Tuesday – one Chelsea insider described him to us as a ‘beast’ as a competitor. They see him as a winner who, when the time calls for it, will show his passion either on the pitch or in the changing room.
It helps that James is one of the older players at Chelsea. The average age of their starting line-ups in the Premier League this season has been 24 years and 147 days. With England, he is still on the younger side of the spectrum, with the squad named by Tuchel for this week’s World Cup qualifiers with Serbia and Albania averaging out at 26 years and 221 days.
James told us on Tuesday that he wants to be seen as a leader for his country as well as his club, and is working on showing that even when surrounded by more experienced colleagues.
Playing regularly is paramount in James’ mind, and Chelsea have done well to build him up to a point where he can perform in three games per week if needed. As well as the coaching and medical teams, he privately credits the club’s performance department – led by Bryce Cavanagh, formerly of the FA – with helping him reach this stage of availability. It involved tailoring his training schedule, studying his output from such sessions and gradually increasing his game time.
Chelsea have also encouraged James to listen to his own body and we have seen him heed the warning signs on more than one occasion. At last summer’s Club World Cup, he withdrew from their starting line-up minutes before a clash with Palmeiras after sensing something in the warm-up.
When England faced Wales and Latvia last month, James pulled out of Tuchel’s squad, again as a precaution as he feared he might be placing himself in the red zone and at risk of injury.
Alongside that mature approach, the way he is performing for Chelsea is making him appear a shoo-in as a starter for England at right back, though Maresca has also shown how he can be used in midfield if required. That new position arguably places less strain on James’ legs by removing all that up-and-down sprinting on the right-hand side.
The Chelsea defender has also shown he can play in midfield if required, with his versatility an asset to Thomas Tuchel
James stands alongside Donald Trump as he lifts the inaugural Club World Cup trophy in July
It provides Tuchel another option for how to use a player whose talents he obviously appreciates and whom he hopes will be fully fit for next summer’s World Cup. James is determined to be there, having been wholly unsatisfied with his own record at major tournaments to date.
At Euro 2020, he appeared once, in a 0-0 draw with Scotland. He missed the 2022 World Cup after an injury, and it was a similar story at Euro 2024.
That history is partially why he is so determined to ensure he is in that next England squad in the United States.
Certainly it is a step in the right direction that rather than quizzing James on why he cannot stay healthy, we are asking whether he can help lead his country at the World Cup this summer as impressively as he did his club at the Club World Cup in the last.
