

How did you first get into playing football?

I first started playing on the playground at school and then aged about six or seven it was a friend of my dad who helped me get into a local team in south-east London, where I grew up. I played in centre midfield and we trained every Tuesday, Thursday and then played on a Sunday.



So how were you eventually signed by Chelsea?

I played with my local team for two years and then got scouted by a couple of clubs, including Chelsea and Arsenal, so I trained in the development centre programme for a while. Both clubs offered to sign me at Under-9 but because I’m such a big Chelsea fan, it was an easy decision.



Where does following Chelsea come from?

I was always going to choose Chelsea because my family are massive fans and I would probably have been disowned if I signed for any other team. My mum, dad and grandad have always supported the club so I grew up with it in my family.

It was difficult sometimes because in the Academy we trained on a Saturday and played on a Sunday but I went to Stamford Bridge whenever I could with my brother to watch the likes of Didier Drogba, John Terry, Michael Essien and Joe Cole.

