Style Obsession, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

• Published
  47 minutes ago

The Football Interview represents a new series where leading personalities from sports and entertainment join presenter the interviewer for frank and comprehensive dialogues about football.

The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series uncovers the person behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender started training with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his international bow against Wales in 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 the past four seasons.

James sat down with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will recognize that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and stuff.

The presenter: Let's start by talking football. What does football mean to you?

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a significant aspect of your early years and development?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my sibling compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

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

The presenter: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Because I learned that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the drills started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England attacker his sister].

Kelly: Tell me about your first ever team that you played for as a child, what was it called, and your memories?

The defender: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I played for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for the professional club.

The host: And you weren't a defender at first, correct? Explain about your positional journey and how that changed...

Reece: I began as a striker, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left wing, right side, and later to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as much but one day it just clicked and I became a right-back since.

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

James: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan during youth and he was the athlete I looked up to.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between youth and senior level is the hardest and that is likely what most players making the jump find difficult.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at the time? The location was miles away from all you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so well?

James: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which helps. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and relatives and was forced to grow up quickly. Playing on a consistent basis assisted significantly.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your career?

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's almost old enough to be my dad and has played at the highest level for so long. He always tried to help me from the moment he joined and still does, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he help you?

James: These were little messages away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I saw differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly nice to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It's consistently positive to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to return and replay a single game in your professional history, which would you pick?

James: If the outcome is going to be the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].

The host: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about that night