Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton
- Published
The Football Interview constitutes a new series where prominent figures from athletics and entertainment participate with presenter the interviewer for candid and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.
The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. This series uncovers the individual beyond the player.
The Chelsea defender started training with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.
James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.
Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include earning his England debut against Wales in 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being appointed 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 career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.
'He's nearly old enough to be my dad' - Reece James reveals the veteran's influence on his career
Kelly Somers: First question: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?
The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that area. My beverage is a flat white.
The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?
Reece: No, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.
The presenter: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What significance does soccer hold to you?
Reece: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.
The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?
James: No, just because my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, attending matches of my sibling play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.
Kelly: It was big in your household, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.
Reece: Well there was three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.
The presenter: Can you recall many of those training periods? Because I read that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.
James: Yes, I remember - the drills began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [Chelsea and national team attacker Lauren James].
Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a child, its name, and your memories?
The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was the local team in Kew. I think I played for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.
The host: You didn't start as a backline player at initially, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...
Reece: I started off as a forward, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left side, right side, and later to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.
The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?
Reece: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as much but eventually it just clicked and I became a right-back since.
The defender claimed the prestigious trophy in 2021 when his team defeated Man City 1-0 in the final in Porto
Kelly: You mentioned you began as a forward - who served as your role model?
Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the player I admired.
Kelly: Identify a turning point in your career - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?
Reece: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is most challenging and this represents likely what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.
The presenter: You're talking about the club, of course. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? The location was miles away from everything you knew in London - what made it successful so well?
James: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and family and had to mature fast. Playing on a consistent basis helped a lot.
The interviewer: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your career?
The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is almost old enough to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for many years. He always tried to assist me from the moment he arrived and continues to, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].
Kelly: How specifically would he help you?
James: It was little messages off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I saw alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.
Kelly: It must have been nice to see him recently [at the Club World Cup]?
The defender: It proved great to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It's always good to see him.
The interviewer: If you could return and replay a single game in your career, what would you choose?
Reece: If the outcome is going to be the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].
The host: Besides winning, what was so special about the occasion
