Style Obsession, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton
- Released
The Football Interview constitutes a new series where leading personalities from athletics and entertainment participate with host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.
We'll explore mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the person beyond the player.
Reece James began training with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.
The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in 2019.
Now 25, James' career highlights to date include earning his international bow against Wales in 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.
Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.
James sat down with the interviewer to discuss his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.
'He's nearly old enough to be my dad' - Reece James reveals Thiago Silva's impact on his professional journey
The interviewer: First question: identity, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?
Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I expect more people will recognize that area. My beverage is a flat white.
Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?
James: No, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and stuff.
The presenter: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?
Reece: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.
Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to respond to because it represented a big part of your childhood and growing up?
Reece: No, simply due to my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, going to watch my sibling compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.
The host: It was big in your family, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a little about that.
The athlete: Well there was three children during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.
Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Because I learned that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the back garden.
Reece: Yes, I remember - the drills began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward Lauren James].
Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?
Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I was there for about twelve months. It was from there that I was scouted for the professional club.
The host: You didn't start as a defender at first, correct? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...
Reece: I started off as a striker, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left side, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at the time.
The presenter: Why did you hate it?
The athlete: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the football as much but eventually everything fell into place and I became a defender since.
Reece James won the Champions League in 2021 when his team defeated Man City by one goal in the championship match in Porto
Kelly: You mentioned you started as a forward - who served as your role model?
James: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he represented the athlete I admired.
Kelly: Identify a turning point in your career - a moment that has shaped you and the player you have become?
The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between youth and senior level is the hardest and that is probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.
The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, of course. Why was Wigan the right club for you at that period? It was miles away from everything you were familiar with in London - why did it work so effectively?
Reece: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and family and was forced to grow up fast. Playing on a consistent basis helped a lot.
Kelly: Who has had the biggest impact on your professional journey?
The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly old enough to be my father and has played at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he arrived and continues to, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].
Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?
Reece: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I saw alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.
Kelly: It must have been nice to see him recently [at the Club World Cup]?
The defender: It proved great to see him again. I'm pleased that his team did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.
The interviewer: Were you able to go back and replay a single game in your career, which would you pick?
James: If the outcome is remains the same - it would be the European Cup decider.
The host: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about the occasion
