Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes a new series in which leading personalities from athletics and show business join presenter Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and drive, covering pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. The Football Interview uncovers the individual behind the player.

The Chelsea defender began training with the London club 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 the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include earning his international bow against Wales in 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries impacting him over the past four seasons.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will know that location. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

James: No, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

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

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

The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?

James: No, just because my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, attending matches of my sibling compete. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, correct, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.

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

The presenter: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Since I learned that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the training started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [Chelsea and England attacker Lauren James].

The interviewer: Tell 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. It was the local team in the area. I believe I played for about twelve months. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as 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 the wing, left side, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

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

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he was the player 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 become?

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 most players making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, of course. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was distant from everything you knew in London - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and relatives and had to mature quickly. Participating on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is almost sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for so long. He always tried to assist me from the minute he joined and still does, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: These were little messages away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I saw alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It proved great to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is always good to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to return and experience again one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

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

Kelly: Besides victory, what was so special about the occasion