Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton
- Released
This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program where leading personalities from athletics and entertainment join presenter the interviewer for candid and detailed discussions about football.
The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. This series reveals the person behind the player.
The Chelsea defender started training with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system 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 the opposition in September 2019.
Now 25, his professional achievements to date include earning his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup 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.
The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.
'He's nearly old enough to be my dad' - Reece James reveals Thiago Silva's impact on his professional journey
Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?
Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will recognize that location. My beverage is a flat white.
Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?
James: No, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.
Kelly: We'll begin by talking football. What significance does soccer hold to you?
The defender: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.
The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this difficult to respond to because it represented a big part of your childhood and growing up?
James: No, simply due to my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.
The host: It was big in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, right? Share with me a little about that.
The athlete: Well we were three of us during childhood. We were all football mad, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.
The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Because I read that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.
Reece: Yes, I remember - the drills began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [the club and national team attacker his sister].
The interviewer: Tell me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, its name, and what can you remember?
The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was the local team in Kew. I think I was there for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.
Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at initially, were you? Explain about your positional journey and its development...
Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left wing, right wing, and later to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.
The presenter: Why did you hate it?
Reece: Because I always wanted to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as much but eventually it just clicked and I've been a right-back since.
Reece James won the prestigious trophy in 2021 when his team defeated Manchester City by one goal in the final in Porto
The interviewer: You mentioned you began as a forward - who served as your role model?
James: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he was the player I looked up to.
The host: Identify a turning point in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have become?
The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between academy and senior level is most challenging and that is likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.
Kelly: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at that period? It was distant from all you knew in London - why did it work so well?
James: The primary factor is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and relatives and was forced to grow up fast. Playing 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's almost old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he joined and continues to, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].
Kelly: How specifically would he help you?
James: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.
Kelly: It must have been pleasant to see him this summer [during the tournament]?
Reece: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his club did well in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It is always good to see him.
Kelly: If you could go back and replay one match in your career, which would you pick?
Reece: Assuming the result is remains the same - it would be the Champions League [final].
Kelly: Besides winning, what was so special about the occasion
