Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

• Released
  Less than an hour ago

This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program where prominent figures from athletics and entertainment join host the interviewer for frank and detailed dialogues about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual beyond the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began practicing with the London club at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his England debut against the Welsh team in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over the past four seasons.

James sat down with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that location. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

James: No, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

The presenter: Let's start by discussing soccer. What significance does soccer hold to you?

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a big part of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: No, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother play. He's two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, right? Tell me a little about that.

Reece: Well we were three of us during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Since I read that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I recall - the drills began early. Fortunately, they paid off for me and my sister [the club and England attacker his sister].

Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and your memories?

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. That was the local team in Kew. I believe I played for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

The host: And you weren't a defender at first, correct? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

James: I started off as a forward, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as frequently but one day it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you began as an attacker - who was your role model?

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

The host: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is the hardest and that is probably what many athletes making the jump find difficult.

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

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and family and was forced to mature quickly. Playing on a regular schedule assisted significantly.

Kelly: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he arrived and still does, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: These were little messages away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I saw differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

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

Kelly: Were you able to go back and experience again a single game in your career, what would you choose?

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

Kelly: Besides victory, what was so special about the occasion