Jordan James looks set to be the next Welsh superstar after Gareth Bale at the age of 19

When Carl Robinson arrived at Birmingham in October to join the coaching staff of new boss Wayne Rooney, his phone pinged with a message from Wales boss Rob Page. ‘Look after JJ,’ it read.

The pair were international team-mates in their playing days so it was not unusual for Page to be in touch but the tone of his words made clear how highly he rates Jordan James. 

James has played alongside Jude Bellingham at youth level, has Rooney as his manager and went toe to toe with Luka Modric last month – and is still only 19.

Like the rest of the Birmingham squad, James is still coming to grips with the change from John Eustace to Rooney, which so far has delivered only one point from a possible 15. 

With Wales, though, James has already convinced Page of his talent and looks set to be a starter for the national team for years to come.

He does not turn 20 until July and as long as he stays healthy, it would be no surprise if James emulates Gareth Bale by passing 100 international caps.

James was superb in Wales’ most recent qualifiers, in Latvia in September and at home to Croatia last month. Wins in those games mean Wales will reach Euro 2024 if they collect two more victories, in Armenia on Saturday and against Turkey in Cardiff on Tuesday.

‘He reads the game well, he’s athletic, he likes a tackle, he can pass the ball, he can head it,’ said Page ‘He ticks a lot of boxes; he has got everything. He is a great lad and he wants to work hard. He has got potential and we’re going to help him achieve that.’

Bellingham’s remarkable rise put every other Birmingham youngster in the shade but James was still able to catch the attention of the senior coaches.

In chaotic circumstances, Lee Bowyer did an underrated job at St Andrew’s, leading them away from relegation in 2020-21 and then to relatively comfortable survival the following season, and he spotted James’ talent instantly.

‘I don’t think you can put too much pressure on him now but if he keeps doing what he is doing, showing the hunger he is showing and desire to improve he will be as good as he wants to be,’ said Bowyer in February 2022. ‘Trust me, people will be looking at him.’

Like Bellingham, James was not tied to a professional contract when he first broke into Blues’ first-team squad. Born in Hereford, James played twice for England Under-20s before choosing Wales definitively. He qualifies to play for Wales through his father, Tony, who was born in Abergavenny and had a 17-year professional career in the lower leagues.

‘It was something that came up on me and I thought I would try it,’ said James of his England experience. ‘But it didn’t feel the same as Wales when I played for them.

‘That’s no disrespect to England but when I put the Wales shirt on it’s the best feeling in the world. It’s just something different; it’s hard to explain.’

Against Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic, James and Ethan Ampadu came out on top in Cardiff last month – a huge achievement for two players currently operating in the Championship. Before that fixture, Wales’ qualifying prospects were in the balance and Page was under pressure. 

That result has turned the mood around and showed Wales supporters there really can be life after Bale, who retired soon after last year’s disappointing World Cup campaign.

‘After the win against Croatia, hopefully we can do the same against Armenia and Turkey,’ said James. ‘It will be tough but we can do it.

‘Growing up you want to get to these tournaments and I didn’t think I was going to be doing it at 19. Hopefully we can do it and then we can enjoy ourselves and get ready for the Euros.’