Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton
- Published
This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series in which leading personalities from sports and entertainment participate with host the interviewer for candid and comprehensive discussions about football.
The program examines mindset and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the person beyond the player.
The Chelsea defender started training with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.
The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.
Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include making his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.
Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries impacting him over the past four seasons.
James sat down with Kelly Somers to talk about his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.
'He's nearly old enough to be my dad' - Reece James reveals Thiago Silva's impact on his career
The interviewer: First question: identity, your origins, and what's your coffee order?
Reece James: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.
The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?
James: Not exactly, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.
Kelly: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What significance does soccer hold to you?
The defender: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in education. I wasn't the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.
The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and development?
Reece: No, just because my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, attending matches of my brother play. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.
Kelly: It was significant in your household, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.
Reece: So we were three of us growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.
Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Since I read that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the yard.
Reece: Yeah, I recall - the training began early. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward his sister].
The interviewer: Talk to me about your first ever team that you played for as a child, what was it called, and what can you remember?
Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was the local team in Kew. I believe I was there for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted 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 forward, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left side, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.
The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?
Reece: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as much but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.
Reece James won the prestigious trophy in 2021 when his team defeated Man City by one goal in the championship match in the Portuguese city
The interviewer: You mentioned you started as an attacker - who served as your role model?
Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he represented the player I looked up to.
The host: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?
The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is most challenging and this represents probably what most players making the jump find difficult.
The presenter: You're talking about the club, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at that period? It was distant from everything you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so well?
Reece: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and relatives and was forced to mature fast. Participating on a regular schedule assisted a lot.
Kelly: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your career?
The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's almost old enough to be my father and has played at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he arrived and still does, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].
The host: In what way would he assist you?
James: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I saw alternatively and attempt and paint a different picture.
Kelly: It must have been pleasant to see him recently [at the Club World Cup]?
The defender: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions Chelsea]. It's always good to encounter him.
The interviewer: If you could return and experience again a single game in your professional history, what would you choose?
Reece: If the outcome is going to be the same - it would be the Champions League [final].
The host: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about the occasion
