Style Obsession, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes a new series where prominent figures from athletics and show business participate with host Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

The program examines mindset and drive, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the person beyond the player.

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

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include making his England debut against Wales in 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over recent years.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

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'm sure many will know that area. My coffee is a flat white.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, like, flavored coffees and stuff.

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

The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.

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

James: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, unsure, attending matches of my brother play. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: Well there was three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Can you recall many of those sessions? Because I learned that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yes, I remember - the training began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England forward Lauren James].

Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, its name, and what can you remember?

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I believe I played for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at initially, correct? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...

James: I began as a striker, and then eventually moved to the wing, left wing, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as much but one day everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.

Kelly: You said you began as a forward - who served as your idol?

Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter growing up and he represented the player I looked up to.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the professional you have become?

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is most challenging and that is probably what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

Kelly: You're talking about the club, of course. What made was Wigan the right club for you at the time? The location was distant from everything you knew in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

James: The first thing is that I featured week in week out, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and relatives and was forced to grow up quickly. Participating on a consistent basis helped a lot.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your career?

Reece: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's nearly old enough to be my father and has competed at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he joined and still does, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw differently and try 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 pleased that his team performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to see him.

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

James: If the outcome is going to be the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

The host: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about that night