James Justin knows what it takes to topple Chelsea at Wembley in the FA Cup and has unfinished business there on Sunday when Leeds face their fierce London rivals in the semi-finals.
A season-ending knee injury robbed the former Leicester wing-back of his Wembley dream in the 2021 final when Youri Tielemans’ stunning strike sank Chelsea to seal the Foxes’ first and only triumph in the competition.
Justin was forced to watch on from the stands after damaging anterior cruciate ligaments in Leicester’s fifth-round win against Brighton.
James Justin, centre right, has established himself in Leeds’ starting line-up
James Justin, centre right, has established himself in Leeds’ starting line-up(Peter Byrne/PA)
The 28-year-old said: “It was a bittersweet one to be honest. Obviously I had played in a couple of rounds before and did well, but to be injured while my team-mates were out there, it was a bit of a bitter pill to swallow.
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“At the end of the day it’s a team sport and I’ve still got a medal to show for it.
“Obviously it was a bad time in my career in terms of the injury, so I was just happy they got it over the line.
“With Youri’s screamer for the winning goal, you can see anything can happen, so we are hoping to do the same.
“I’ve played in a few rounds this season and put in some solid performances so hopefully I can get the chance to be out there in an FA Cup final, which would be a dream for me.”
The 28-year-old, who said his winner’s medal was “somewhere at home”, has emerged as a key player for Leeds this season following his £8million switch to Elland Road last August.
The former Luton right-back has been a regular starter since the turn of the year as Daniel Farke’s side bid to survive their first season back in the Premier League and reach their first FA Cup final in 53 years.
Justin, who also battled back from a ruptured Achilles tendon while at Leicester in late 2022, has grown accustomed to the roller-coaster life of a professional footballer.
He has won League One and Championship promotion with Luton and Leicester respectively and after his injury setbacks is hoping to close out his first season at Elland Road in style.
“Football is up and down all the time and when you get a little bit older like I am, you understand how it works,” said Justin, who is hoping to make his Wembley bow as his solitary senior cap for England against Hungary was in Budapest in 2022.
“But it could definitely be a career high this season. I feel like this has been a fresh start for me and my family.
Justin has become a key player for boss Daniel Farke
Justin has become a key player for boss Daniel Farke(Martin Rickett/PA)
“I’ve played a lot over the second half of this season and I’m really enjoying it, enjoying living in the city.
“Hopefully we can achieve our main goal, which is staying in the Premier League, and then see what happens in the cup.
“I’d played a part (for Leicester in the 2021 final), but obviously not as much as I wanted to.
“Hopefully I can change that this time. Chelsea in the semi-final. It might be the same outcome, hopefully.”