Reece James Shares Insights from Chelsea's Club World Cup for England's World Cup Prep
Reece James has revealed that his experience captaining Chelsea to Club World Cup glory in the United States last summer is proving beneficial for England manager Thomas Tuchel as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup. Speaking to GQ Magazine, James highlighted the importance of his insights regarding the challenging conditions expected this summer. He noted that Tuchel has sought his input on various aspects of the tournament, stating: "Yeah, we’ve spoken about the set-up, what worked, what didn’t, having a base, stuff like that." James reflected on the significance of acclimatizing to the climate, particularly as England transitions from the often milder weather back home. He emphasized: "I thought about (the World Cup) a lot (last summer). The climate, conditions, the pitch. It’s difficult to go over there in the middle of summer... to get used to the conditions a year before means I can take a lot going forward." Chelsea’s journey to becoming world champions included navigating extreme weather, including a nearly two-hour delay during their last 16 match against Benfica due to a thunderstorm. Despite the challenges, they triumphed over the Portuguese giants and later defeated Palmeiras and Fluminense before stunning Paris Saint-Germain in the final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. As England heads back to the U.S., James stands as the sole representative from Chelsea, following the omission of Cole Palmer, the hero of last year's final. This trip marks a reunion for James and Tuchel, who celebrated Champions League, Super Cup, and Club World Cup victories together in 2021. James expressed his admiration for Tuchel, stating: "He’s one of the best managers. For me, he’s won at the highest level... I believe in him, his style of play and what he wants."
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-06-01