Reece James has opened up on receiving weekly advice from Chelsea and England legend Ashley Cole ahead of his European championship campaign.
The 21-year- old was included in Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad for the tournament which begins on Friday 11, June 2021.
Reece was picked following an impressive season with Chelsea and as a Blues fan growing up, he has spoken about learning from the legendary left-back.
“When I was young I wasn’t always a right back,” James said at St. George’s Park. “I was a striker. But I’ve always looked up to Frank Lampard because he played for the club I supported, Ashley Cole similar. So I’ve always supported the boys who played for the team I supported.
“[With Cole], we speak nearly every week. Probably one of the best left-backs to play the game. Even though he was a left-back the position is basically the same, just on the opposite side. He helps me a lot progressing.”
Ahead of England’s opener against Croatia on Sunday, James went on to say that the Chelsea players and Manchester City players won’t have any hangover from the Champions League final.
“I think winning the Champions League final and playing against such a high-quality team and coming away with the win is going to boost anyone’s confidence but doing it against the Premier League champions gives you a boost as well,” he said.
“It’s hard to say. Not many people win the Champions League. I knew coming here that we just played against City, they’re not going to be happy with the result. We kind of had to be a bit humble with it we couldn’t boast and rub it in. We just had to accept it. We know we won.
“Now we’re here we’re together as a team with a massive tournament ahead and we need to fight together.”
