Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

• Published
  47 minutes ago

The Football Interview represents a new series in which leading personalities from sports and entertainment participate with host Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive discussions about football.

The program examines mindset and motivation, discussing defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the person beyond the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began training with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now club captain.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements to date include making his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries affecting him over the past four seasons.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: First question: identity, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, like, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

Kelly: We'll begin by talking football. What does football mean to you?

The defender: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and development?

Reece: Not particularly, just because my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: Well we were three of us during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Because I read that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I recall - the drills began early. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sister [Chelsea and England forward Lauren James].

Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and your memories?

The defender: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was the local team in Kew. I believe I played for about twelve months. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a backline player at initially, were you? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then eventually moved to the wing, left wing, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you began as a forward - who was your role model?

Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he represented the player I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the player you have become?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is the hardest and that is probably what most players making the jump find difficult.

Kelly: You're talking about the club, of course. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? The location was miles away from everything you knew in the capital - why did it work so well?

James: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and relatives and had to mature fast. Participating on a consistent basis assisted significantly.

Kelly: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he joined and continues to, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: In what way would he help you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I perceived differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him this summer [during the tournament]?

The defender: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the competition [they were defeated in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It's always good to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to return and experience again one match in your career, which would you pick?

James: Assuming the result is remains the same - it would be the Champions League [final].

The host: Other than victory, what made it exceptional about that night