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

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program in which prominent figures from athletics and show business participate with host the interviewer for candid and detailed dialogues about football.

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

Reece James began training with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

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

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

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

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that location. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

James: Not exactly, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a significant aspect of your early years and development?

Reece: No, just because my memory is quite poor. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my brother compete. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, right? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: Well there was three of us growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those sessions? Since I learned that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

Reece: Yeah, I remember - the training started young. Thankfully, they paid off for me and my sibling [the club and national team forward his sister].

The interviewer: Tell me about your first ever team that you played for as a child, its name, and what can you remember?

Reece: I don't remember much, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I played for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

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

Reece: I began as a forward, and then eventually moved to the wing, left side, right side, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

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

The interviewer: You said you began as a forward - who served as your idol?

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

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

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is the hardest and that is likely what many athletes 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 distant from everything you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so well?

James: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and relatives and was forced to mature fast. Participating on a consistent basis helped a lot.

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

Reece: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to help 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 assist you?

Reece: It was little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I perceived alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It must have been pleasant to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is always good to see him.

Kelly: If you could return and replay one match in your career, what would you choose?

James: Assuming the result is going to be the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Besides victory, what was so special about that night