Reece James has already spoken to Xabi Alonso on the phone, and Chelsea’s captain says he is delighted to work with the incoming manager. James has not met him in person yet, but the first contact is already in place while Alonso waits to officially begin on July 1.
James on Alonso
“We've spoken a couple of times on the phone. I haven't met him [Alonso] in person yet. Everyone I've spoken to about him says he's an amazing, amazing manager,” James said in an interview with talkSPORT.
“I know him more from his playing career. You know, he had an amazing career, and now I'm excited to welcome him,” he added. That is the clearest sign yet that the transition has started before Alonso has even stepped into the job.
Chelsea before July 1
Alonso was appointed Chelsea manager last month, but he will not officially start his role until July 1. Before then, he has already spoken to a lot of his new players on the phone in light-hearted conversations, setting up the handover before the full squad is together.
James said the move reminded him of 2019, when Frank Lampard was handed the Chelsea job. “It's strange. I had it when I was younger with Frank Lampard. He was one of my idols growing up, and then when he stepped in as manager, it was a surreal moment. I'm delighted that Xabi Alonso is our manager,” he said.
North America and Cobham
The timing matters because James and other key Chelsea players are in North America for the World Cup, while Alonso will work with those not at the tournament for a couple of weeks at Cobham before jetting off to Sydney for the start of Chelsea's pre-season tour.
Players representing their countries at the World Cup will then meet up with the rest of the squad during the tour in Sydney, depending on how far their nations get. For James, the next step is simple: the phone calls are done, and the first face-to-face meeting will come once the team is back together.
