Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview represents an innovative program in which prominent figures from athletics and show business participate with presenter Kelly Somers for frank and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and drive, covering pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. The Football Interview uncovers the person beyond the athlete.

The Chelsea defender started training with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include making his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

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

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

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

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that area. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

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

Reece: No, it started with, like, flavored coffees and stuff.

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

The defender: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and development?

Reece: Not particularly, just because my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, going to watch my sibling compete. He's two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your father was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

The athlete: Well we were three children during childhood. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those training periods? Because I read that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the yard.

James: Yes, I recall - the training began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [the club and national team forward his sister].

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

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was the local team in Kew. I think I played for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

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

James: I began as a striker, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left wing, right wing, and later to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at the time.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I became a defender since.

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

Reece: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he was the player I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is most challenging and this represents probably what most players making the jump find difficult.

Kelly: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? The location was miles away from everything you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so well?

James: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and family and was forced to mature fast. Participating on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

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

Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he joined and still does, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: It was little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It must have been pleasant to meet him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It was great to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It's always good to encounter him.

Kelly: If you could return and experience again a single game in your career, which would you pick?

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

The host: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about the occasion