Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Hamilton
- Published
The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program where prominent figures from sports and entertainment join host the interviewer for candid and comprehensive discussions about football.
The program examines mindset and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. The Football Interview uncovers the individual behind the player.
Reece James began training with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.
James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, 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 England debut against the Welsh team in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.
Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over the past four seasons.
The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.
The defender discusses Thiago Silva's impact on his professional journey
The interviewer: First question: name, 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 many will recognize that area. My coffee is a flat white.
The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?
James: Not exactly, I began with, like, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.
The presenter: We'll begin by talking football. What does football mean to you?
The defender: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.
Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it was such a big part of your childhood and growing up?
James: No, just because my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, attending matches of my sibling play. He is 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 dad was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, right? Share with me a little about that.
Reece: So there was three children growing up. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.
Kelly: Do you remember many of those sessions? Because I learned that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.
James: Yes, I remember - the drills started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England forward Lauren James].
The interviewer: Tell me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, what was it called, and your memories?
Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was the local team in Kew. I believe I played for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.
The host: You didn't start as a backline player at initially, correct? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...
Reece: I started off as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left side, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at the time.
Kelly: Why did you hate it?
The athlete: Because I always wanted to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.
The defender claimed the prestigious trophy in that year when his team defeated Man City by one goal in the final in Porto
The interviewer: You said you began as a forward - who served as your role model?
James: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he was the athlete I admired.
The host: Identify a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?
The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Transitioning between youth and senior level is most challenging and that is likely what most players making the jump find challenging.
The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was miles away from everything you were familiar with in London - why did it work so effectively?
Reece: The first thing is that I played consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to mature fast. Participating on a regular schedule helped a lot.
The interviewer: Who has had the greatest influence on your professional journey?
The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is nearly old enough to be my dad and has played at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he joined and continues to, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].
Kelly: How specifically would he help you?
James: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations that I perceived differently and try and paint a different picture.
The presenter: It was undoubtedly nice to see him recently [during the tournament]?
Reece: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his club performed admirably in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is always good to encounter him.
The interviewer: Were you able to go back and replay one match in your career, what would you choose?
Reece: Assuming the result is going to be the identical - it would be the European Cup decider.
The host: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about the occasion
