Reece James lifts the lid on Thomas Tuchel relationship after England recall
Chelsea defender Reece James is delighted that Thomas Tuchel is in charge of England and is looking forward to playing a key role in the World Cup 2026 campaign
For a relatively seasoned Chelsea player, it is an occupational inevitability that you have worked with a fair few managers. And having made his club debut in October, 2019, that applies to Reece James.
In the 25-year-old full-back's case, it is five, to be precise. Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Enzo Maresca.
And while he will not publicly declare his preference, there is no doubt James would have Tuchel at the top of his pecking order. Why wouldn't he? During Tuchel's 21-month period in charge at Stamford Bridge, James made 74 appearances, scoring seven goals and making 12 assists.
'We have a good relationship,' smiled James, who was pictured with the England manager at a birthday party for former Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia earlier this year. 'We won titles together and that obviously helps build a strong relationship.
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"He's a winner, at the end of the day. I'm happy he has got the job and I think he can help the team a lot.'
And Tuchel will clearly help James a lot as he tries to properly kickstart an international career that has been blighted by injury issues. James was part of the squad for the Euro 2020 finals, in 2021, but his only appearance came in the goalless draw with Scotland in the group stages.
And fighting his way back from injury, James thought he might have had a chance of making the cut for World Cup 2022. Gareth Southgate, though, decided not to risk him.
'I was in the squad for 2021 but didn't play so often but I learnt a lot and we got all the way to the end,' James said. 'But then watching the World Cup was very difficult.
"I wasn't selected, I was coming back from injury and it is always tough to watch, knowing you are not there. I'm excited for the future and I hope to be involved in the next major competition.'
If he stays fit, there is little doubt that Tuchel will take James to World Cup 2026, having brought his former Chelsea favourite back into the England set-up and been rewarded with a goal in the 3-0 qualifying win over Latvia at Wembley. It was a moment James cherished, even though it did not look that way at the time.
He explained: 'To be honest, from where I was, it didn't look like it was going in, which is why there was no celebration. It was an amazing feeling to score my first (England) goal.
"It was something I've been waiting for for a long time. To be back in the England fold is an amazing feeling.'
James and Maresca appeared to have their issues in the early stages of last season with the Chelsea manager saying he expected more leadership from the defender. But the captain's armband certainly seemed a more comfortable fit in the second half of the campaign as James played a pivotal role in securing a Champions League slot and lifting the UEFA Conference League trophy.
Asked about his leadership, James - who confirmed he prefers to play at right-back rather than in a midfield role sometimes given to him by Maresca - responded: 'I think towards the end of the season, it may have gotten evidential. At the end of the season, there was more to fight for, there was more on the line.
"There was Champions League qualification, there was a trophy. I'd like to think I am growing in that aspect.'
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