Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes a new series where leading personalities from athletics and show business join host the interviewer for candid and detailed dialogues about football.

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

The Chelsea defender began training with the London club at six years old and - having progressed through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting 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 the year 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

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

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: name, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure many will recognize that area. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

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

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

The defender: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in education. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

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

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

Reece: Well we were three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

Kelly: Can you recall many of those sessions? Since I learned that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I recall - the drills started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for me and my sister [the club and national team attacker Lauren James].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your first ever team that you represented as a child, what was it called, and what can you remember?

Reece: I don't remember much, frankly. That was the local team in Kew. I think I was there for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

The host: You didn't start as a defender at first, correct? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...

Reece: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left side, 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?

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

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

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

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the professional you have evolved into?

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

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

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and family and had to mature fast. Participating on a consistent basis helped significantly.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your career?

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is almost sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has played at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he arrived and continues to, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I saw differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It must have been pleasant to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

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

Reece: Assuming the result is remains the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].

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