In a moment that captured both the excitement and raw emotion of Chelsea’s recent triumph, club captain Reece James made headlines for all the wrong reasons during a live TV interview following the team’s 1-0 victory over Djurgarden in the UEFA Conference League semi-final second leg on May 8, 2025. The Blues secured a 5-1 aggregate win, booking their place in the final against Real Betis, but it was James’ colorful language while praising 16-year-old debutant Reggie Walsh that stole the spotlight and prompted an on-air apology from TNT Sports.
The match at Stamford Bridge was a milestone for Walsh, who, at 16 years and 200 days, became Chelsea’s youngest-ever starter in a European competition. The teenage midfielder, who grew up near the club’s west London home and joined their academy at age seven, delivered an accomplished performance, earning plaudits from teammates, coaches, and fans alike. Walsh’s tidy passing, intelligent movement, and composure under pressure belied his age, as he played the full 90 minutes in a midfield role tailored to manager Enzo Maresca’s possession-based system.
Post-match, James, speaking to TNT Sports, was asked about Walsh’s remarkable senior debut. The 25-year-old captain, visibly thrilled, let his enthusiasm get the better of him. “I’ve seen him in training lots, but training and games are different,” James said. “This is the first time I’ve actually seen him play in a game, and I was like, ‘F*cking hell.’ I didn’t realize how good he actually was!” The expletive, broadcast live, prompted immediate apologies from the TNT Sports crew, who acknowledged the slip while trying to keep the focus on Chelsea’s victory and Walsh’s historic performance.
James’ candid reaction, while controversial, underscored the genuine excitement surrounding Walsh’s emergence. The youngster, who is still balancing his GCSE studies with his footballing career, has been on Chelsea’s radar for years. His substitute appearance in the first leg against Djurgarden the previous week made him the club’s third-youngest debutant ever, and his start in the second leg cemented his place in Chelsea’s history books. Maresca, who has used the Conference League to blood academy talents, was effusive in his praise, telling reporters, “I love Reggie. He’s that kind of player that, in my system, is perfect. But he has to keep studying, go to school, and stay focused.”
The incident wasn’t without precedent for Chelsea players, who have occasionally let their passion spill over in interviews.
Walsh’s performance was the real story of the night. His teammate Cole Palmer, an unused substitute, was seen offering words of encouragement on the pitch, while goalscorer Kieran Dewsbury-Hall, who netted the game’s only goal in the 38th minute, called Walsh “fantastic” and “composed.” Even 19-year-old defender Josh Acheampong, himself a recent academy graduate, praised Walsh, saying, “I just told him to be confident and do what he does in the youth teams.”
For James, the moment was a rare misstep in an otherwise stellar night. His leadership has been pivotal in Chelsea’s strong 2024-25 campaign, and his deployment in midfield under Maresca has showcased his versatility. However, his unfiltered praise for Walsh only added to the buzz around the teenager, who is now tipped as one of England’s brightest prospects. Maresca, cautious about overloading the youngster, hinted that Walsh may not start the final in Wroclaw, Poland, on May 28, but his trajectory suggests more first-team opportunities are on the horizon.