Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes a new series in which leading personalities from sports and show business participate with presenter Kelly Somers for candid and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

The program examines mindset and drive, covering defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual behind the player.

The Chelsea defender began practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the youth system and into the first team - is now club captain.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

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

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries affecting 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.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

James: No, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

Reece: Essentially, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

Kelly: Your first recollection of playing? Is this difficult to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: No, just because my memory is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, going to watch my sibling play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was big in your household, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

The athlete: So there was three of us growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

Kelly: Can you recall many of those training periods? Since I learned that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yes, I remember - the training began early. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sister [the club and England attacker his sister].

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

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I played for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

Kelly: And you weren't a defender at first, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...

James: I started off as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left side, right wing, and later to central positions, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as much but eventually it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as an attacker - who was your idol?

James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has influenced your development and the professional you have become?

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is most challenging and that is probably what most players making the jump find difficult.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? It was distant from everything you knew in London - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I moved away from my companions and relatives and was forced to mature quickly. Participating on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

The interviewer: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is almost old enough to be my father and has played at elite standard for so long. He always tried to assist me from the minute he joined and still does, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: In what way would he help you?

James: These were small pieces of advice away from games. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I saw alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him recently [during the tournament]?

The defender: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

Kelly: Were you able to go back and experience again one match in your career, what would you choose?

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

Kelly: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about the occasion