Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

• Published
  47 minutes ago

The Football Interview represents a new series in which leading personalities from athletics and show business join host Kelly Somers for candid and detailed dialogues about football.

We'll explore mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series uncovers the person behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began training with the London club at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy 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 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include earning his international bow against Wales in 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

The interviewer: First question: identity, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will know that location. My coffee is a flat white.

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

Reece: No, I began with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

The presenter: We'll begin by talking football. What significance does soccer hold to you?

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.

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

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.

The athlete: Well we were three children growing up. It was all football mad, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Because I learned that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I recall - the drills started young. Fortunately, they paid off for me and my sister [the club and national team attacker Lauren James].

The interviewer: Tell me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, its name, and what can you remember?

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. That was the local team in Kew. I believe I was there for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a backline player at initially, were you? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right side, and later to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I became a right-back since.

The interviewer: You said you began as a forward - who was your role model?

James: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he was the player I looked up to.

Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?

Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap 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 the club, naturally. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at that period? It was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which helps. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and relatives and was forced to mature fast. Playing on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

The interviewer: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your career?

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's almost old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for many years. He always tried to help me from the moment he arrived and still does, even now he is departed [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

James: These were small pieces of advice away from games. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I saw differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been nice to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It was great to see him again. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It's always good to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to go back and experience again 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].

Kelly: Besides victory, what was so special about that night