Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program where prominent figures from sports and show business participate with host Kelly Somers for frank and detailed dialogues about football.

We'll explore mindset and motivation, covering defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the person beyond the athlete.

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

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

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

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

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: First question: identity, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect many will recognize that area. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

The presenter: Let's start by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?

The defender: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of playing? Is this difficult to answer because it was such a big part of your early years and growing up?

James: No, simply due to my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He's two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: Well there was three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Because I learned that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I remember - the training started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward his sister].

Kelly: Tell me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, its name, and your memories?

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

The host: You didn't start as a defender at initially, were you? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left wing, right wing, and later to central positions, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

Kelly: You mentioned you started as a forward - who served as your role model?

James: The player I admired 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 career - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

Reece: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is the hardest and that is likely what many athletes making the jump find difficult.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, of course. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? It was miles away from everything you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and family and was forced to mature quickly. Participating on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

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

Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is almost old enough to be my dad and has played at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he joined and continues to, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].

Kelly: In what way would he help you?

Reece: These were little messages off the pitch. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I saw differently and try and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It must have been nice to see him recently [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his club performed admirably in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: Were you able to return and replay a single game in your career, which would you pick?

James: 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