James turns to Rugby World Cup icon for advice after ruthless Chelsea meeting
Reece James headed over to France during the international break to pick the brain of South Africa's Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi .
The Springbok, who has now led his country to successive World Cup triumphs, has recently signed for the Paris-based outfit Racing 92. He has transcended his sport with his leadership skills and James, who was named Chelsea's captain in the summer, is looking to learn from him, reports the Evening Standard.
Kolisi has overcome struggles in his childhood to make the international stage but whilst leading the Springboks has been heavily praised. During the World Cup campaign, he sat in press conferences to defend his team-mates in the face of criticism and matched that with huge performances on the pitch.
James has come through the club's academy and has been handed the armband by Mauricio Pochettino, but is leading a Chelsea outfit that have underwhelmed so far this season. They sit in mid-table and the right-back knows he must galvanise a young, inexperienced squad.
He has also turned to defensive colleague Thiago Silva, who has been one of Europe's most consistent performers for 15 years. He has been a towering presence at the likes of AC Milan and PSG with James keen to tap into his knowledge.
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Pochettino has previously said on his decision to make James the club's captain: “Why did I choose him as captain? Because of his personality, his leadership, the respect he has from the club and his team-mates and he has my full respect also. Chelsea is in his DNA and when you see the squad he is not only for the present, he is for the future and in this moment Chelsea need someone like that."
Siya Kolisi has won two World Cups as South African captainThe 23-year-old was sent-off for two yellow cards in the defeat at Newcastle, which also saw Silva make a rare costly error. The reverse saw Pochettino call out the team's mentality and comes despite him holding a meeting with the club's squad in which he laid down several markers.
The Argentine again took aim at his players, demanding more from them after the manner of their loss at St James' Park. "We were so soft in every single challenge," he said. "That's what makes me angry and disappointed. We talk about being a young team and we have to learn.
"But I think these type of games make me very, very, very, very, very angry because it's about showing your personality and character. OK, we are young as a team, but we cannot lose this type of opportunity to show our best."
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