Chelsea defender Reece James has praised former manager Frank Lampard for giving him a first team chance.
The right-back is now first choice for Chelsea, after having come through the club's academy.
James, who scored for Chelsea against Arsenal in a 2-0 win in the Premier League at the weekend, had positive words to say about his old boss Lampard in an interview with the club website.
He stated: "I signed my first professional contract when I was 17. It was a dream come true. I wanted to be a professional ever since I was a young boy here. I was over the moon and my family were very happy as well.
"When I went on loan to Wigan in 2018 I was nervous, uncomfortable. I didn't know anyone and I was far from home. I lived in Bolton which is very different to Cobham, and it took a lot to get used to. But the set of lads there helped me a lot, and week by week I grew.
"The step-up from Academy football to senior football is huge. It's so different when you are playing with people who are older. I was only 18 at the time and playing against older players who have families and wives.
"When I came back from Wigan, truthfully I thought I might have to do one more season at a Premier League team before I got my chance at Chelsea. But it came sooner than I expected and I'm thankful to Frank Lampard for giving me that chance.
"It was a dream come true to make my debut at Stamford Bridge and to score as well. It was a bit surreal walking out to Stamford Bridge and scoring and getting a couple of assists. I was speechless.
"Every time I went to Stamford Bridge as a kid I always wondered what it was like to walk out with the crowd cheering and that was the day I did it. My family were there, and I don't think they could have been happier, either.
"But the greatest day of my life so far was the day we won the Champions League. We couldn't have faced a better team at the time. Manchester City had just come off the back of winning the Premier League.
"It was one of the best games I've played because it was against such a good team with such quality players as well. We all know how good Riyad Mahrez, Kevin De Bruyne and the other Manchester City players are.
"There were four or five of us coming through from the Academy at the same time looking to achieve things, so winning the Champions League so young is great. It's a big bonus.
"The celebrations afterwards were good, we had friends and family there and we had an event after. It was great for my sister to be there. She has been with me on my journey ever since I was a little boy, and now it's special having her at the same club. My family are so proud that we are both back here playing for the teams we both dreamt of playing for.
"I always said one day I would win the Champions League, and when I did I would get the tattoo of the trophy on my leg.
"It was always my dream to win it and you have to believe. That's why I got the motto at the top. I'm very happy with it!"
