Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

• Released
  Less than an hour ago

The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program where prominent figures from sports and show business participate with presenter Kelly Somers for candid and comprehensive discussions about football.

We'll explore mental approach and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the person beyond the athlete.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, scoring on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include earning his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over recent years.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure many will recognize that area. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: No, it started with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

Reece: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

Kelly: Your first recollection of playing? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a big part of your childhood and development?

Reece: Not particularly, just because my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He is two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your family, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

Reece: So there was three of us during childhood. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

The presenter: Do you remember many of those sessions? Because I learned that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

Reece: Yeah, I recall - the training started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [the club and national team forward Lauren James].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your first ever team that you represented as a child, its name, and your memories?

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was the local team in the area. I believe I was there for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a defender at initially, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...

James: I began as a striker, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and eventually to central positions, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

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

James: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he represented the athlete I admired.

The host: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Transitioning between youth and first-team football is the hardest and that is likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? It was distant from everything you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so effectively?

James: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to mature fast. Playing on a consistent basis helped significantly.

The interviewer: Who has had the biggest impact on your professional journey?

Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's almost 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 arrived and still does, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: In what way would he help you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice away from games. During matches, he occasionally see things that I perceived alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?

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

The interviewer: If you could return and replay a single game in your career, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is going to be the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].

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