Last night, England’s Reece James delivered a stunning free kick that lit up the World Cup qualifiers, propelling his team to a 3-0 victory over Latvia. Despite the brilliance of the goal, James’s muted reaction left many spectators scratching their heads.
Even Lee Dixon, a former England defender, couldn’t hide his bewilderment on air, expressing his surprise and slight irritation at James’s lack of enthusiasm after scoring such a cracker. Dixon shared his thoughts during ITV’s live coverage, saying, “Honestly, I’m baffled by his non-celebration. If I’d netted a goal like that, you’d still see me doing laps around Wembley. It was sheer perfection—a truly top-notch strike. The keeper was left just watching it fly by… a real gem of a goal. I hope he was savoring it internally somehow.”
As the internet does best, jokes quickly surfaced, some teasingly suggesting, “James didn’t celebrate because he once played for Latvia.”
When he sat down for his post-match interview, ITV couldn’t resist questioning James about both the goal and his subdued reaction. James candidly explained, “When I lined up the shot, I noticed the wall’s alignment and felt I could curl it around. To be honest, I was a bit shocked it actually went in. At first, I thought maybe the keeper might’ve had a chance, but seeing the replay, it seems it wasn’t as straightforward.”
Reflecting on his journey, James added, “It’s been a tough two and a half years filled with challenges. Getting called back to represent my country and finally stepping onto the field again is truly satisfying.”
It seems the lack of celebration was more about the heavy baggage he’s been carrying, including past injuries and perhaps the mounting pressures from Chelsea. At 25, James is in a pivotal phase of his career—it’s his time to rise, mature, and flourish as a leader. As long as he maintains his fitness, he’s poised to conquer the game.
Returning to England’s fold and crowned Man of the Match, James shone brightly in his first national appearance in over two years. His reunion with former coach Tuchel was a heartwarming sight for Chelsea fans. Tuchel, thrilled to have his star player back, was all smiles, at least visibly so!
After the match, Tuchel heaped praise on James, “There’s no questioning Reece’s abilities—they’re world-class. We’ve been in close contact recently. Although he didn’t play earlier, that decision came down to safeguarding him, knowing he was in top form both physically and mentally.
“In games where we dominate, like tonight, his versatility shines, and he transforms into a strategic midfielder when needed. That’s his real strength on the ball.”
For every Chelsea enthusiast, seeing James and Tuchel’s partnership re-ignite is a joy, especially given the mutual admiration between the two. James even named Tuchel as the finest manager he’s played under, although that particular video seems to have mysteriously vanished from the internet. Intriguing, isn’t it?
