Player Profile: Ryan James, Centre Back
Last Updated: 06/10/16 12:30pm
Anything can happen in football. When Ryan James arrived at the Nike Academy he was a promising striker, but things soon changed.
"There were quite a few strikers in the first session, so they asked me to play Centre Back. I'd played there before, just as cover, but I fancied a new challenge." The Academy coaches immediately spotted Ryan's potential.
Then, someone else saw something in the newly converted defender. "I had a trial for Stockport and it went really well. They asked me to train with them, but I got injured and couldn't go. Then the Academy game came up. As I was getting off the coach, they asked if I wanted to play for Stockport that day. I wasn't about to turn that down.
"Playing against my teammates was a bit weird at first, but I just got on with it and really enjoyed the game. Hopefully I did enough to impress them. My main aim was to keep it simple and not make any mistakes. That's what they preach at the Academy."
Ryan feels his game has come on a lot with the Academy. "There's a really good mix of coaches. They all play different positions, Dean's been really great at giving me defending advice, but you've also got Goody for the strikers and Nas for the midfielders.
"I also watch Rio Ferdinand's game. I'm a little similar to him as we both like to play from the back. It's not a case of just hoofing it clear. I like to try and get the team moving."
Follow Ryan on Facebook.com/nikeacademy to see what happens next.