Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview represents an innovative program where leading personalities from athletics and show business participate with presenter the interviewer for candid and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the person beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender started training with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries impacting him over the past four seasons.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

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

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that location. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

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

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

Reece: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and development?

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

Kelly: It was significant in your family, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: Well we were three children growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those sessions? Because I learned that starting from the four years old, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

James: Yes, I recall - the drills began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and national team forward Lauren James].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your first ever team that you represented as a child, its name, and your memories?

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I played for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

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

James: I began as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right side, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the football as much but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.

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

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

Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

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

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at that period? The location was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and family and was forced to grow up fast. Participating on a consistent basis assisted significantly.

The interviewer: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at elite standard for many years. He always tried to assist me from the moment he arrived and still does, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

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

Reece: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his team did well in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to the champions Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

Kelly: If you could go back and replay a single game in your career, what would you choose?

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

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