Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview represents an innovative program where leading personalities from athletics and entertainment join presenter the interviewer for candid and detailed discussions about football.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. This series uncovers the person behind the athlete.

Reece James began training with the London club at six years old and - having progressed through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

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

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements to date include making his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

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

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

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

James: No, I began 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 a little kid, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

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

Reece: No, simply due to my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, going to watch my brother compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your family, correct, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, right? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: So there was three of us growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

The presenter: Can you recall many of those sessions? Since I learned that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yeah, I remember - the drills began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [the club and national team forward his sister].

The interviewer: Tell me about your initial club that you played for as a child, what was it called, and your memories?

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was the local team in the area. I believe I was there for about twelve months. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.

Kelly: And you weren't a defender at first, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the football as frequently but one day it just clicked and I've been a right-back since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as a forward - who was your role model?

Reece: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan during youth and he represented the athlete I looked up to.

The host: Can you think of a turning point 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. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is the hardest and that is likely what most players transitioning upwards find challenging.

The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, of course. What made was Wigan the right club for you at the time? It was miles away from all you knew in the capital - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and relatives and was forced to mature quickly. Playing on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

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

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he arrived and continues to, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: In what way would he help you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes observe situations that I perceived differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been pleasant to meet him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his club did well in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It is consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: If you could go back and replay one match in your professional history, what would you choose?

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

The host: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about that night