Reece James and Levi Colwill continue to carry the flag for the Cobham academy at Chelsea, and both men might be part of an "amazing" feat on Wednesday night if the Blues beat Real Betis in the final of the Conference League. For them and their juniors, a victory would mean a lot in this game.
‘It’ll be huge to win every trophy possible’
**Chelsea**is a club synonymous with success this century and James has not lost sight of that culture.
“It would mean a lot to myself and to the club. For a lot of the players, it would be their first trophy. A lot of young players have played such a key part in this competition this season. It would mean a lot.”
He joined the first team squad in 2019 and rapidly raised his standing in the game as one of the best right backs in the world, winning the Champions League in 2021 under Thomas Tuchel. The chaos around **Chelsea**in the Todd Boehly era has created a different feeling around the club, so he will be eager to get his hands on some silverware for the first time since the Club World Cup title in 2022.
“We hope. It's been a few years since we've got our hands on silverware. If you zoom out and take a further look, I’d like to think that this would the winning trophy effect back to the club and help the players that haven't won so much in their career so far.”
Colwill came back to the club in 2023 after an impressive loan spell on the south coast at Brighton. For him, this fixture will be a chance to earn his first medal in the men's game and be part of the history of the first club to win all of the major continental competitions on offer at the moment.
“For Chelsea fans. I think it'll be huge to win every trophy possible. That's why we're going to do it for them tomorrow. We're going to work extra hard for them and then for the team, it will be amazing feeling to, like Reece said, for some of us to win our first club competitions like me.”
Even though this is the third tier European tournament, no success can be taken for granted. Real Betis have been a solid Spanish outfit for several seasons, never slipping lower than seventh spot in **La Liga**in five years under Manuel Pellegrini. With **Isco**as the leading light in their squad, they have quality that can hurt **Chelsea**and James is under the impression that it will be a tough test.
“The game is going to be a high class game. We're playing against very good opposition. They have, a number of high class players. We will set out strong and set out to win.”
Finals are occasions to relish, but they feel far better if one is on the right side of the scoreline. Having lost two **FA Cup**finals and one Carabao Cup final, he wants to end up on the positive side of history.
“I think in terms of making it enjoyable, it helps if you win. So that would probably be our first target. We want to set out well and hopefully get the win tomorrow and then we can enjoy it after that.”
‘It’s stuff you dream of as a kid’
The two defenders then gave an insight into their seasons and the feelings of their teammates.
James opened up about his journey as club captain. He received this responsibility as a 23 year old but played under 500 Premier League minutes last year. That tally still has only just hit the four-digit mark this campaign. However, with more time on the field, he feels more comfortable with the role.
“Captains and leaders are made. They're not born. I got the role at such a young age when I was going through a difficult period. I had a lot of injuries. I wasn't on the pitch so much. It was hard in my first season as captain, but I think I’ve grown so much helping the team the more I've played.”
After the departure of Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill has continued to grow in seniority. The 23-year-old missed only three matches in the league this season and has nailed down his preferred position in central defence. He and James are in the **England**squad, and then both will jet off to partake in the Club World Cup: these are great opportunities, and the defender deserves rest when the time comes.
“Hopefully we get a vacation after the Club World Cup. That would be nice. But being a footballer, we want to play games and as many games as possible. Being in this final and then going to hopefully play for our country is obviously an honour and then the Club World Cup is a huge competition.”
The focus in this final will not only be on their performances. Nicolas Jackson joins up again with the squad after his suspension for a red card in a 2-0 loss to Newcastle United that could have been costly in the Champions League chase. Despite that error, James holds no hard feelings against the forward.
“He obviously made a mistake. But he’s been so key for us. Since he arrived, he plays a huge part in how we want to play and what he done is gone now. We have accepted the mistake and put it behind.”
Another key man is Moises Caicedo. The Ecuadorian struggled in his first season, but he continues to pay back his £115 million fee as one of the most highly rated midfielders in the Premier League.
“I think when he first arrived, he found it difficult from what he what he told me. But this season he has grown so much as a person and as a player. His English is getting better as well which helps. He is key to our team. He is the only player that played all of the Premier League games this season.”
Finally, Colwill commented on the meaning of a victory for some of the junior members of the squad. Several teenagers have had their first serious taste of men's football thanks to this competition. As a **Cobham**graduate, Colwill is convinced that a triumph would fulfil something of a lifelong ambition.
*“Obviously being two academy boys winning a competition for the club is huge. It’s stuff that you dream of as a kid. And by doing this, hopefully we can encourage more academy boys to do exactly what we're doing. For players like Reggie Walsh and Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George, like the young boys, that if we do win, they get a chance to get a medal. And that will be amazing.”*