Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Bond with Hamilton
- Published
This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series in which prominent figures from athletics and show business participate with host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive dialogues about football.
The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual beyond the player.
Reece James began training with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.
James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.
Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include earning his England debut against the Welsh team in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.
Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over the past four seasons.
The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.
The defender discusses the veteran's influence on his career
Kelly Somers: First question: identity, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?
Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure many will know that location. My beverage is a specific coffee type.
The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?
James: Not exactly, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.
The presenter: Let's start by discussing soccer. What significance does soccer hold to you?
Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.
Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this tough to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?
Reece: No, just because my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, going to watch my brother play. He's my senior by two years 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 little about that.
The athlete: So there was three children during childhood. We were all football mad, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.
The presenter: Can you recall many of those sessions? Because I read that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.
James: Yes, I remember - the drills started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England forward his sister].
Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?
The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was the local team in Kew. I think I played for about twelve months. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.
The host: And you weren't a defender at first, were you? Explain about your role evolution and its development...
James: I started off as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left wing, right side, and later to central positions, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.
The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?
The athlete: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as much but eventually it just clicked and I've been a defender since.
Reece James won the prestigious trophy in 2021 when his team defeated Man City 1-0 in the final in the Portuguese city
Kelly: You said you started as an attacker - who was your role model?
Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he was the athlete I looked up to.
Kelly: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - a moment that has influenced your development and the professional you have evolved into?
The defender: I would probably say going on loan. Transitioning between youth and first-team football is most challenging and this represents likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.
The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? The location was distant from everything you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so effectively?
James: The primary factor is that I featured week in week out, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and family and was forced to grow up fast. Participating on a consistent basis assisted a lot.
The interviewer: Who has had the biggest impact on your professional journey?
The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he arrived and still does, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].
The host: How specifically would he help you?
James: These were small pieces of advice away from games. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I saw differently and attempt and paint a different picture.
Kelly: It must have been nice to meet him recently [at the Club World Cup]?
The defender: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It's consistently positive to see him.
The interviewer: Were you able to go back and replay one match in your career, what would you choose?
James: If the outcome is remains the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].
Kelly: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about that night
