Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview represents an innovative program in which leading personalities from sports and show business join host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, covering defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. The Football Interview uncovers the person beyond the athlete.

The Chelsea defender started training with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements to date include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

However, 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 discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect many will recognize that area. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

The presenter: We'll begin 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 the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to answer because it was such a big part of your early years and growing up?

James: No, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother play. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

Reece: Well we were three of us growing up. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

The presenter: Can you recall many of those training periods? Since I learned that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the training began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England forward his sister].

The interviewer: Tell me about your initial club that you played for as a youngster, its name, and your memories?

Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I played for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

Kelly: And you weren't a backline player at initially, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...

James: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left wing, right side, and eventually to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as much but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

Kelly: You said you started as a forward - who was your idol?

James: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he represented the athlete I admired.

The host: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is the hardest and this represents probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, of course. What made was Wigan the right club for you at that period? The location was distant from everything you knew in the capital - why did it work so well?

James: The first thing is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and family and had to grow up fast. Participating on a regular schedule helped significantly.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at the highest level for so long. He always tried to assist me from the moment he joined and still does, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: These were little messages off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I saw differently and try and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly nice to meet him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his team did well in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

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

James: If the outcome is going to be the identical - I'd select the European Cup decider.

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