Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes a new series in which leading personalities from athletics and show business join host Kelly Somers for candid and comprehensive discussions about football.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the person beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with the London club at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include making his international bow against Wales in 2020, winning the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.

James sat down with the interviewer to talk about his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

The interviewer: First question: identity, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

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

The host: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, like, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in school. 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 tough to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: No, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, going to watch my brother play. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was big in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He's a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a little about that.

The athlete: So there was three children during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

The presenter: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Because I learned that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the back garden.

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

Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you played for as a child, what was it called, and what can you remember?

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I was there for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted 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 how that changed...

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

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I became a right-back since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you began as an attacker - who served as your idol?

James: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he represented the athlete I admired.

The host: Identify a turning point in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

Reece: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and senior level is the hardest and that is probably what most players making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, of course. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at that period? The location was miles away from everything you knew in London - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and family and had to mature quickly. Playing on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

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

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he joined and continues to, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

James: These were little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I perceived alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly nice to see him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is always good to see him.

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

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

The host: Besides winning, what was so special about that night