Style Obsession, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Hamilton
- Published
The Football Interview constitutes a new series in which leading personalities from sports and show business join host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.
We'll explore mindset and drive, covering defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series reveals the individual behind the athlete.
Reece James began training with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.
James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 2019.
Now 25, James' career highlights to date include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.
However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over the past four seasons.
James sat down with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.
The defender discusses Thiago Silva's impact on his career
The interviewer: Initial inquiry: 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 expect more people will know that location. 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.
The presenter: Let's start by talking football. 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 exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.
Kelly: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?
James: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, going to watch my sibling play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.
Kelly: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.
The athlete: Well there was three children during childhood. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.
The presenter: Do you remember many of those training periods? Since I read that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted drills with you in the yard.
James: Yeah, I recall - the drills began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and national team attacker his sister].
Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club 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 Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I played for about twelve months. It was from there 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 how that changed...
Reece: I began as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right side, and later to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.
The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?
The athlete: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as much but one day it just clicked and I became a defender since.
Reece James won the Champions League in 2021 when his team defeated Manchester City by one goal in the final in Porto
The interviewer: You mentioned you began as an attacker - who was your role model?
James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he represented the player I looked up to.
The host: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has influenced your development and the professional you have become?
The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is the hardest and that is probably what most players making the jump find challenging.
Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, of course. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? It was miles away from all you knew in the capital - why did it work so well?
Reece: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and relatives and was forced to grow up fast. Participating on a consistent basis helped significantly.
The interviewer: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your professional journey?
Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for so long. He always tried to assist me from the moment he joined and continues to, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].
The host: How specifically would he assist you?
Reece: It was little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I saw differently and try and paint a different picture.
The presenter: It was undoubtedly nice to meet him recently [during the tournament]?
The defender: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.
Kelly: Were you able to go back and experience again a single game in your professional history, which would you pick?
Reece: If the outcome is going to be the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].
The host: Besides winning, what was so special about that night
