Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

• Published
  Less than an hour 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 dialogues about football.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series uncovers the person behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began training with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

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

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include making his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries impacting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: First question: identity, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

James: Not exactly, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

Kelly: Let's start by talking football. What does football mean to you?

The defender: Essentially, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a big part of your childhood and growing up?

James: No, just because my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, going to watch my sibling compete. He's my senior by two years 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 football coach too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

The athlete: So there was three children during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Since I learned that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

James: Yes, I remember - the drills began early. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and national team attacker Lauren James].

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

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. That was the local team in the area. I think I played for about twelve months. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at first, were you? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I began as a striker, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left side, right wing, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as much but eventually it just clicked and I became a right-back since.

Kelly: You said you started as an attacker - who was your role model?

James: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan during youth and he was the player I looked up to.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between academy and senior level is the hardest and this represents probably what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at that period? The location was miles away from all you knew in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

James: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and relatives and was forced to grow up quickly. Playing on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your professional journey?

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly old enough to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he joined and still does, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].

Kelly: In what way would he help you?

James: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally see things that I saw alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It must have been nice to see him this summer [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his club performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It's consistently positive to see him.

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

James: If the outcome is going to be the same - it would be the Champions League [final].

The host: Other than victory, what was so special about the occasion