Style Obsession, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton
- Published
The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program where prominent figures from sports and entertainment participate with host Kelly Somers for candid and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.
The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. This series reveals the person beyond the player.
The Chelsea defender began practicing with the London club at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.
The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.
Now 25, his professional achievements to date include making his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.
However, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.
James sat down with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.
The defender discusses the veteran's influence on his professional journey
Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?
The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will recognize that location. My beverage is a specific coffee type.
Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?
James: Not exactly, it started with, like, flavored coffees and similar drinks.
Kelly: Let's start by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?
Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.
Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?
James: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, attending matches of my brother play. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.
The host: It was significant in your household, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.
The athlete: So there was three of us growing up. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.
Kelly: Do you remember many of those training periods? Because I learned that starting from the four years old, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the yard.
James: Yes, I recall - the training began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and national team forward his sister].
The interviewer: Tell 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, frankly. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I was there for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.
The host: You didn't start as a defender at first, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...
Reece: I started off as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to wide positions, left side, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at the time.
Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?
The athlete: Because I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I've been a right-back since.
Reece James won the Champions League in 2021 when his team defeated Manchester City by one goal in the final in the Portuguese city
The interviewer: You mentioned you started as a forward - who served as your idol?
Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the athlete I looked up to.
The host: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?
Reece: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is the hardest and that is probably what most players making the jump find challenging.
Kelly: You're talking about the club, of course. What made was Wigan the right club for you at that period? The location was distant from everything you knew in the capital - why did it work so well?
James: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which helps. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and family and was forced to grow up fast. Playing on a regular schedule helped a lot.
The interviewer: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your professional journey?
Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is nearly old enough to be my dad and has played at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he arrived and continues to, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].
Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?
James: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.
The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?
Reece: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his club did well in the competition [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It is always good to encounter him.
The interviewer: Were you able to go back and experience again one match in your career, what would you choose?
James: Assuming the result is remains the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].
Kelly: Other than victory, what made it exceptional about the occasion
