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David James: England Camp secrets, World Cup memories and incredible career tales | The Wave Podcast

Football

Year2026

Duration1h 36m

Watch Now

7.6

David James joins The Wave for a candid, fascinating conversation on football, mindset and one of the most unique careers in English football. From breaking through at Liverpool and handling the pressures of elite football at a young age, to representing England on the biggest stage and sharing dressing rooms with some of the greatest players of his generation, David reflects on the highs, lows and lessons from a remarkable career spanning more than two decades. He opens up about his relationship with performance psychology and mental health, the scrutiny that comes with being an England goalkeeper, and what life was really like inside England camps alongside players such as David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Ashley Cole. With the World Cup on the horizon, David also shares his thoughts on England's chances this summer, the personalities that shaped his career, and the realities of competing at the very highest level of the game. Away from football, the conversation takes a different turn as David discusses his passion for record collecting, artwork and the interests that helped shape his identity beyond the pitch. There are plenty of stories throughout - from Liverpool and Bournemouth to England and beyond - as David reflects on legendary teammates, unforgettable moments and the people who had the biggest impact on his journey. This is what The Wave is about: real conversations, proper stories and the human side of football. In this episode: ■ David James' early years at Liverpool ■ Mental health, performance psychology and dealing with pressure ■ Life as England's goalkeeper ■ Training alongside Beckham, Rooney and Ashley Cole ■ England camps and World Cup memories ■ His thoughts on England and the World Cup this summer ■ Bournemouth, legendary teammates and career-defining moments ■ The best players he ever played with ■ Life beyond football: record collecting and artwork ■ Lessons from one of England's most experienced footballers Let us know in the comments: Who should we have on next? Make sure you do