CHELSEA starlet Reece James has revealed he still has a shirt signed by Frank Lampard hanging above his bed.
James, 20, who has been at Stamford Bridge since 2005, is one of a number of youth products to have been given a run in the first team this season under Lamps.
Chelsea youngster Reece James revealed he has a shirt signed by Frank Lampard hanging above his bed.Credit: Getty – Contributor
And the right-back told FourFourTwo magazine how a trip to the first-team dressing room as an eight-year-old yielded a piece of kit signed by his now-manager.
“I got taken into the Chelsea dressing room, they gave me a shirt and all the players signed it, including John Terry and a lot of others,” he said.
“It’s still at my parents’ house today, hung over my bed.
“Frank Lampard’s name is on it – I haven’t told him so I’m not sure he knows, but he’s definitely on there!
“I admired Lampard and all the main leaders of the team when I was a kid.
“When I heard he was the manager, it was great – he’s a Chelsea legend.”
James also explained how his idol tried to sign him while in charge of Derby County last season, but the England Under-21 international decided to stay on loan at Wigan Athletic.
He said: “It was good to know he rated me.
“That was at Championship level but we spoke when he arrived and he said he wanted to give me a chance.
“I’m thankful that I’ve got to work with him.”
James signed a new contract at Stamford Bridge in January and has made 25 appearances in all competitions so far this season, scoring two goals.
Right-back James is establishing himself as a Chelsea regular under boss Lampard.Credit: AFP or licensors
Frank Lampard praises Reece James after he signed his new five-and-a-half year Chelsea deal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
