Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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

We'll explore mental approach and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual behind the player.

Reece James began practicing with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include earning his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

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

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: identity, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

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

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

James: No, it started with, like, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

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

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it's kind of all I knew in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a big part of your childhood and development?

Reece: Not particularly, just because my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, unsure, attending matches of my brother play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, right? Tell me a little about that.

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

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Because I read that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I remember - the drills began early. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sister [the club and England forward his sister].

Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I believe I played for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

The host: And you weren't a backline player at initially, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch 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 served as your idol?

Reece: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he was the player I admired.

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

Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is most challenging and this represents probably what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

Kelly: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? It was distant from everything you knew in the capital - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and family and was forced to mature fast. Participating on a consistent basis helped significantly.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He is almost old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for many years. He always tried to assist me from the minute he joined and continues to, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

James: These were little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It must have been nice to meet him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: 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 the champions Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to go back and replay one match in your career, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is remains the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Other than victory, what made it exceptional about the occasion