Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program where leading personalities from athletics and entertainment join presenter the interviewer for frank and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. This series uncovers the individual behind the athlete.

Reece James began practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

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

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over recent years.

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

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

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

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

Reece: No, it started with, like, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

Kelly: Let's start by talking football. What significance does soccer hold to you?

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in education. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.

Kelly: Your first recollection of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a big part of your early years and growing up?

Reece: Not particularly, just because my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my brother compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: Well we were three of us during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Since I read that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I remember - the drills began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward Lauren James].

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

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. That was the local team in the area. I believe I was there for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a defender at initially, were you? Talk to me about your role evolution and its development...

James: I began as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and later to midfield, and then eventually at defensive role, and I disliked it at that period.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I became a right-back since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you began 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 player I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is the hardest and this represents likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, of course. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? It was miles away from all you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The first thing is that I played consistently, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and relatives and had to mature quickly. Playing on a consistent basis assisted significantly.

The interviewer: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your career?

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has played at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he joined and still does, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: It was little messages off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I perceived alternatively and attempt and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly nice to see him recently [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It is always good to see him.

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

James: If the outcome is going to be the same - it would be the Champions League [final].

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