Style Obsession, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview represents an innovative program in which prominent figures from athletics and show business participate with host Kelly Somers for candid and comprehensive discussions about football.

The program examines mindset and drive, covering defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. This series uncovers the individual beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender began practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

The defender introduced 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 to date include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: identity, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that area. My beverage is a flat white.

The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

Reece: Essentially, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus 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 answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and development?

James: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my brother compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

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

Reece: Well we were three children during childhood. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Can you recall many of those training periods? Because I read that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the drills started young. Fortunately, they paid off for me and my sister [Chelsea and England attacker his sister].

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

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I believe I played for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at initially, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and its development...

James: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left wing, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as much but eventually it just clicked and I became a right-back since.

The interviewer: You said you started as an attacker - who was your role model?

James: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan growing up and he was the athlete I looked up to.

The host: Can you think of a turning point in your career - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between academy and senior level is the hardest and that is likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, of course. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at that period? It was miles away from everything you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so effectively?

James: The first thing is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and family and was forced to mature quickly. Playing on a consistent basis helped a lot.

Kelly: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at the highest level for many years. He always tried to help me from the minute he joined and still does, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly nice to see him this summer [during the tournament]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It's consistently positive to see him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and experience again one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

James: Assuming the result is remains the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].

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