Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

• Published
  47 minutes ago

The Football Interview represents an innovative program in which prominent figures from athletics and show business join presenter Kelly Somers for candid and comprehensive discussions about football.

The program examines mindset and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. This series uncovers the person behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender started training with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.

James sat down with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect more people will recognize that location. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

James: No, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

The presenter: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What significance does soccer hold to you?

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to answer because it was such a big part of your early years and growing up?

James: Not particularly, just because my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, going to watch my sibling compete. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

Reece: Well we were three of us growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

The presenter: Can you recall many of those sessions? Since I read that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I remember - the drills began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward his sister].

The interviewer: Tell me about your first ever team that you represented as a child, what was it called, and what can you remember?

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was the local team in Kew. I think I was there for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a backline player at first, were you? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

Reece: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left side, right wing, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as much but one day everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.

Kelly: You said you started as a forward - who was your idol?

James: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he was the athlete I admired.

The host: Identify a turning point in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the professional you have become?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is most challenging and this represents probably what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at the time? It was distant from everything you knew 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 moved away from my friends and family and had to mature fast. Participating on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is almost old enough to be my father and has played at elite standard for so long. He always tried to help me from the minute he arrived and continues to, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I saw differently and try and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to meet him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It proved great to see him again. I'm pleased that his team did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: If you could return and experience again a single game in your career, which would you pick?

Reece: Assuming the result is remains the identical - I'd select the European Cup decider.

The host: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about the occasion