Excl: “Support I’ve Had Shows How Great This Club Is”- James Balagizi’s Heartfelt Departure From Liverpool | OneFootball

By Josh Smith

Liverpool Academy graduate James Balagizi has now become a free agent after his 11 years with the Reds.

The 23-year-old was part of the academy set-up since under-11s and has had multiple loan spells out to Crawley Town, Wigan Athletic, Kilmarnock and Forest Green Rovers.

Dan spoke to Balagizi, who was singing his praises about the club when speaking to us, with him giving special thanks to many of the coaches who were very supportive on his journey…

“I feel like coming through the academy game, most people I came into contact with left a mark. I think early on I’d say Michael Yates, one of the coaches; he was very impactful for me. Always cheerful, always egging me on to do well, and then moving forward, I had a long-lasting relationship with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson. I was with him from his 15s onwards, but we worked together really well. They both impacted me massively on a personal level. Further on, I had Barry Lewtas. He had a really big impact on me as well, as he understood me; he was able to get the best out of me as a person and as a player as well.”

“I have so much to be grateful for. A lot of the players I grew up with I still stay in touch with have become quite successful, like James McConnell, Luke Chambers, Jarell Quansah, Harvey Elliott, Tyler Morton, and a lot of great people and players that I’ve come up with, so I am grateful for them, and then the staff as well, like Jay Spearing, Rob Page, Tony Jones, the physio, and Alex Inglethorpe. I can be grateful for the fact they’ve been on my journey, and I’m so grateful to them for helping me.”

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Surrounded by the elite when growing up, learning and developing as a player is hugely beneficial and helped Balagizi improve week in, week out. What also helped the attacking midfielder was adapting to ‘the Liverpool way’ quickly after joining from Manchester City.

“Going through the Liverpool way, it’s ingrained in every player. I got in contact with Stevie Heighway; he coached me and some of my groups. They talk about the Liverpool of old teams and the history and tell us what it’s like to wear this shirt. You learn about so much of the heritage and stuff. You want to replicate things from the past and show you’re capable. You think this is going to help me, and now you’re here. You want to embrace the full experience. The Liverpool way is profound in the academy teachings.”

The philosophy that is adopted is what Balagizi fell in love with at the club and is why other players also become so motivated at the academy. Balagizi became the blueprint for success within the academy to come up for under-11s and understand the Liverpool way to breed success.

“Obviously the philosophy of the football club – I was growing up learning it; I began to fall in love with it because everyone is so enthusiastic. Words can’t even describe what it’s like as a Liverpool player because everyone is so enthusiastic, and the city as well; growing up in the city, that develops you as a person, not just as a player. Just interacting with other people from different backgrounds helped me develop in all areas of my life, such as being able to communicate. I think I was a shy kid, but Liverpool brings everything to life. It’s overwhelming; it’s amazing I’ve got nothing but good words to say about Liverpool.

“Alex [Inglethorpe] hasn’t lost touch with that foundation; he’s just made it known that this is what it takes. For example, pressing is something that’s a non-negotiable as a Liverpool team; you learn that through his guidance and other coaches throughout the teams.”

A mainstay of the academy, originally from Manchester, the versatile midfielder was seen as one of the brightest prospects at the academy, which led to him getting his first professional contract in September 2020.

Playing with all the top senior players, it seemed for Balagizi that he was able to adapt and learn from top players he was amazed by.

“Every time I went up, the intensity was through the roof; the quality was insane. For example, Curtis Jones – when I was there, you looked at him and thought, ‘Wow, this is the level I need to get to.’ He’s just an outstanding footballer you’d see in training. Another one which was big for me as a midfielder when I was training when Thiago was here. This is another level now; I’ve got so much to learn and take from him and admire as well.”

“The players are all welcoming; they make the environment not toxic at all. Everyone here is to work and fight for the right things and improve the success of the club. You just know it’s a serious environment, but it’s not toxic at all.”

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His time as a professional had injury setbacks, which can be tough mentally. For Balagizi, he said developing the mindset that he can get back to full fitness was aided by the great support of the club, which is something that makes our club stand out.

“As I’ve been through my fair share of injuries, I’ve developed more of a growth mindset of ‘it’s happened now’ and how can I get back to fitness? Because it’s a long, hard journey; what it takes to play week in, week out, you’ve got to put so much work in behind the scenes. Liverpool helped me so much through these injuries I’ve had. Always provided me with the right care and rehabilitation. This summer, they even allowed me to stay and train and rehab to a good level. I’m so fortunate that they’ve given me that opportunity. I was there for years, so they did embrace me as a player and person the whole time.”

Having that support network allows you to develop good mental resilience and helps you deal with setbacks in the senior game. Balagizi believes Liverpool have helped him grow into a player ready for senior professional football, where he is excited to get started, despite also feeling sad the chapter is coming to an end.

“I feel like everything has prepared me to a good level now to make the next step. I’m starting a new chapter away from Liverpool. It is going to be tough, but my end goal is to finish with hundreds of appearances and an illustrious career and hopefully reach the top of the game.

“Everything has prepared me to a good level now to make the next step. I’m starting a new chapter away from Liverpool. It’s going to be tough, but my end goal is to finish with hundreds of appearances and an illustrious career and hopefully reach the top of the game.”

The experience of playing in the red shirt is something Balagizi is very appreciative of, and having the senior experience of being on the bench in the senior side is also something he looks back on fondly.

“Being able to play games in the shirt was surreal; being on the bench at Anfield was a surreal experience. The support I’ve had from the fans, lots of messages and lots of love from people – it just shows how great a club this is. I’m just very fortunate to be in this position, and when I look back I can be so grateful for all these experiences.”

The 23-year-old is currently looking for a new club as the new season has kicked off, but having been a standout player in the academy and now being back to fitness, it won’t be long until he is back doing what he loves again.

We at The Redmen TV wish James Balagizi all the best in the future as a person and a player.