Interview with Wycome Wanderers’ Jesse Kewley-Graham

At the age of 19 Jesse Kewley-Graham is grafting away into first team football at Wycombe Wanderers and has already done so with relative success. Away from football he’s an independent distributor for American company Herbalife, focused and determined to achieve the best both on and off the pitch. In an exclusive interview with PitchSideTalk, this young professional talks about growing up in football, his experiences to date and decisions he has faced along the way…

Joining Wycombe…

“I joined Wycombe when I was fifteen; I was at Brentford before hand. I played at Brentford for four years but left as I didn’t think I’d get a scholar and I knew I’d get one at Wycombe as Richard Dobson [now assistant manager at Wycombe] made the same move a year before me. I’ve followed my old manager [Dobson] since I was young so I’m lucky to have a manager that likes me a lot, now he’s involved with the first team it’s a honour to play for such a reliable manager.”

 

Breaking Into The 1st Team…

“It was nerve racking at first but I found my feet and played pretty well, all I need to do now is

Jesse Kewley-Graham
 Age: 19
 Club: Wycombe Wanderers
Position: Central Midfielder
Preferred Foot: Right
Attributes: Passing, Ball Retention

sustain my place. It’s been exciting to be honest, some good pro’s around me that are willing to help so hopefully if I keep doing what I do then I can progress.”

 

Biggest Influence…

“Richard Dobson. He’s made me the player I am as he’s coached me since I was young and brought me on massively as a player.”

 

Mixing With The Best…

“The best players I’ve played against are Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, John Terry and Moussa Dembele. Yossi Benayoun is an amazing player as well.”

 

Position On The Park…

“I’ve always played in midfield. I like to dictate the play and get on the ball. My favourite player is Xabi Alonso, his passing range is ridiculous!”

 

Experience In Football…

“The best experience I’ve had is making my full debut at Wycombe [against Rochdale in January]. The worst is scoring an own goal in pre season this year.”

 

If It Wasn’t Football…

“To be honest I think I’d be either running a businesss and selling Herbalife products as I am an independent distributor for them and I’ll be working harder on that over the next few years so if anyone wants any products from them then let me know!”

 

Herbalife International is a global nutrition, weight management and skin-care company. Herbalife sells products such as protein shakes, bars, herbal extracts, multi-vitamins and skin care essentials. http://www.herbalife.com

 

“It’s an American brand but it’s fast growing in the UK, me and a couple of the lads from Wycombe, Leon Johnson and Dave Winfield trying to get it into the football industry as we don’t think other products are as good as Herbalife.”

 

 

 

NextGen: Anthony Stewart, one of the rising players at Wycombe Wanderers and one who is highly rated by Jesse. (source:skysports)

Young Ones To Watch…

“At Wycombe – Anthony Stewart, Charles Dunne and Josh Scowen. I’ve grown up with them at

youth team level and I know what they are capable of. Good players for the future!”

 

And Finally, The Ultimate Dream…

“My ultimate dream is to play at the highest level possible for a standards of playing, but it has to be Premier League football for a top four side.”

 

PitchSideTalk thanks Jesse for taking the time out to do this interview, and would like to wish him the very best of luck with his football.

Thoughts and comments welcome, follow @pitchsidetalk. All support hugely appreciated!