Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes a new series where prominent figures from sports and show business participate with presenter Kelly Somers for candid and comprehensive discussions about football.

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

Reece James started training with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include earning his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming 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 the past four seasons.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: First question: name, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect many will recognize that location. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

James: No, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this tough to respond to because it was such a big part of your childhood and growing up?

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

Kelly: It was big in your household, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: Well there was three of us growing up. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

The presenter: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Since I learned that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

James: Yes, I remember - the training started young. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sister [the club and national team attacker his sister].

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

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was the local team in Kew. I believe I played for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a defender at first, correct? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...

James: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left side, right side, and later to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as much but eventually it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

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

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he represented the player I looked up to.

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

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is most challenging and that is likely what most players making the jump find challenging.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, of course. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at that period? It was distant from all you were familiar with in London - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and relatives and had to grow up fast. Participating on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your professional journey?

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's almost old enough to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for so long. He always tried to assist me from the minute he arrived and still does, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: It was little messages away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I saw alternatively and attempt and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?

The defender: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It's consistently positive to see him.

The interviewer: If you could return and replay one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

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

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