Style Obsession, Looking Up To Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton
- Released
The Football Interview represents a new series where leading personalities from sports and show business participate with host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive discussions about football.
We'll explore mental approach and motivation, covering defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. This series uncovers the individual beyond the player.
Reece James began practicing with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.
The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.
Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include earning his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.
However, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.
The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.
'He's nearly old enough to be my dad' - Reece James reveals Thiago Silva's impact on his career
Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: identity, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?
Reece James: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will recognize that location. My beverage is a flat white.
Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?
Reece: Not exactly, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and stuff.
The presenter: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What significance does soccer hold to you?
The defender: Essentially, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.
The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this tough to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?
James: Not particularly, just because my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.
The host: It was big in your family, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.
Reece: So we were three children growing up. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train a lot with him.
The presenter: Do you remember many of those sessions? Because I read that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the yard.
James: Yeah, I recall - the training started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [Chelsea and national team attacker Lauren James].
The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, its name, and your memories?
Reece: I don't remember much, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I was there for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.
The host: And you weren't a defender at initially, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...
Reece: I started off as a striker, and then eventually moved to the wing, left wing, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.
Kelly: Why did you hate it?
Reece: Since I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I became a defender since.
Reece James won the prestigious trophy in 2021 when his team defeated Manchester City by one goal in the championship match in the Portuguese city
Kelly: You said you began as a forward - who was your idol?
Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he was the player I looked up to.
The host: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have become?
Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between academy and senior level is the hardest and that is probably what many athletes making the jump find difficult.
The presenter: You're referring to the club, of course. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at that period? The location was distant from all you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?
James: The first thing is that I played consistently, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and family and was forced to grow up quickly. Participating on a consistent basis assisted significantly.
The interviewer: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?
The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for so long. He always tried to assist me from the minute he joined and still does, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].
The host: How specifically would he help you?
Reece: These were small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes observe situations that I perceived alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.
The presenter: It must have been pleasant to see him this summer [during the tournament]?
Reece: It was great to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It is consistently positive to see him.
Kelly: Were you able to return and experience again a single game in your career, which would you pick?
Reece: If the outcome is remains the same - it would be the Champions League [final].
The host: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about the occasion
