Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program where leading personalities from athletics and show business participate with presenter Kelly Somers for frank and detailed discussions about football.

We'll explore mindset and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. This series uncovers the person beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

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

James sat down with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

The interviewer: First question: name, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.

The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

James: No, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

The defender: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly 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 big part of your early years and development?

James: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, attending matches of my sibling play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

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

The athlete: So there was three of us growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Since I read that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I remember - the training started young. Thankfully, they paid off for me and my sister [the club and national team forward Lauren James].

The interviewer: Tell me about your first ever team that you represented as a youngster, its name, and your memories?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was the local team in Kew. I think I played for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.

Kelly: You didn't start as a backline player at initially, were you? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left wing, right side, and eventually to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at that period.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the football as frequently but one day it just clicked and I became a defender since.

The interviewer: You said you began as an attacker - who was your idol?

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

The host: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is most challenging and that is probably what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was miles away from all you knew in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?

James: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which helps. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to grow up fast. Participating on a regular schedule helped significantly.

The interviewer: Who has had the biggest impact on your professional journey?

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's nearly old enough to be my dad and has played at elite standard for many years. He always tried to help me from the minute he arrived and still does, even now he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: It was little messages off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

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

Reece: It proved great to see him again. I'm happy that his team did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It's always good to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to go back and experience again one match in your professional history, what would you choose?

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

Kelly: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about the occasion