Chelsea captain John Terry spoke with West Ham ace Declan Rice after he was released as a 14 year-old.
Aston Villa coach Terry played a helping hand in ensuring the new England debutant did not quit football.
The BBC have reported Terry spent 45 minutes on the phone to Rice after the then-14-year-old was released by Chelsea.
Terry is said to have comforted and reassured Rice, who went on to have trials with Tottenham and West Ham almost instantly.
Rice was subsequently picked up by the Hammers and, having made his mark at various underage levels, is now starring for them in the Premier League.