Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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

The program examines mindset and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the person behind the athlete.

Reece James started practicing with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include making his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, 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 friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: identity, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will know that location. My coffee is a flat white.

The host: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

James: Not exactly, I began with, like, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

The presenter: We'll begin by talking football. What does football mean to you?

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved the sport.

Kelly: Your first recollection of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a big part of your childhood and growing up?

James: No, just because my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, attending matches of my sibling compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your family, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: Well there was three children during childhood. It was all football mad, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

The presenter: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Since I read that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the drills started young. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sister [Chelsea and national team attacker Lauren James].

The interviewer: Tell me about your first ever team that you represented as a youngster, its name, and what can you remember?

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I believe I was there for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

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

James: I began as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left side, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

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

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he represented the athlete I admired.

The host: Identify a pivotal moment in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have become?

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is most challenging and this represents likely what most players transitioning upwards find challenging.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, naturally. Why was Wigan the right club for you at that period? It was distant from all you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so well?

James: The first thing is that I played consistently, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and family and had to mature quickly. Playing on a consistent basis helped significantly.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your career?

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is nearly old enough to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he arrived and continues to, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

James: These were little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I perceived alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been nice to meet him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved great to see him again. I'm happy that his team did well in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to the champions Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: Were you able to return and experience again one match in your career, which would you pick?

Reece: Assuming the result is going to be the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about that night