Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program in which leading personalities from athletics and entertainment participate with host Kelly Somers for candid and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. This series reveals the person beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender began training with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 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 team skipper in 2023.

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

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

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: identity, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will know that area. My coffee is a flat white.

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

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

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

The defender: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this tough to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and development?

James: Not particularly, just because my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my brother compete. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was big in your family, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

The athlete: Well we were three of us during childhood. It was all football mad, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Since I learned that starting from the four years old, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yeah, I recall - the training started young. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sibling [the club and England attacker Lauren James].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and your memories?

The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was the local team in Kew. I believe I played for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a backline player at initially, were you? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...

James: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left wing, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, 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 ball as much but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

Kelly: You said you began as an attacker - who was your idol?

Reece: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he represented the player I looked up to.

Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have become?

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is most challenging and this represents likely what most players transitioning upwards find challenging.

The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, of course. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? The location was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - why did it work so well?

James: The first thing is that I played consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and family and had to mature quickly. Playing on a regular schedule assisted significantly.

The interviewer: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your professional journey?

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he joined and still does, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

James: It was little messages off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations that I perceived alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

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

The defender: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It is always good to see him.

The interviewer: If you could return and replay one match in your career, which would you pick?

Reece: Assuming the result is going to be the same - it would be the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about that night