Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

• Published
  47 minutes ago

The Football Interview represents an innovative program where prominent figures from athletics and entertainment join presenter the interviewer for frank and detailed discussions about football.

We'll explore mental approach and drive, covering defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. This series reveals the person behind the athlete.

Reece James began practicing with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements to date include earning his England debut against Wales in 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

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

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: First question: identity, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

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

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: No, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and stuff.

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

The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a big part of your childhood and development?

Reece: No, simply due to my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, going to watch my sibling compete. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.

The athlete: Well there was three children growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Since 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: Yeah, I remember - the drills started young. Thankfully, they paid off for me and my sibling [the club and England attacker his sister].

Kelly: Talk to me about your first ever team that you played for as a child, its name, and your memories?

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I played for about twelve months. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at initially, were you? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...

James: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left side, right wing, and later to central positions, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as frequently but one day it just clicked and I became a right-back since.

The interviewer: You said you began as an attacker - who was your idol?

James: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he represented the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Transitioning between youth and first-team football is most challenging and this represents likely what most players making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, of course. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? The location was distant from all you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and family and was forced to grow up quickly. Playing on a consistent basis helped significantly.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for many years. He always tried to assist me from the minute he arrived and continues to, even now he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: These were little messages away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I perceived alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been pleasant to see him this summer [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club did well in the competition [they were defeated in the semi-finals to the champions Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and experience again a single game in your career, which would you pick?

James: If the outcome is going to be the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

The host: Other than victory, what was so special about that night