Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program in which prominent figures from athletics and entertainment participate with host Kelly Somers for candid and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mindset and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. This series uncovers the individual beyond the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began training with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

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

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements to date include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries impacting 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 multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: name, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I expect more people will recognize that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

James: No, I began with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

Kelly: We'll begin by talking football. What significance does soccer hold to you?

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

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a big part of your early years and development?

Reece: No, just because my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, going to watch my brother compete. He's two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

The athlete: Well there was 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 as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I recall - the training started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [Chelsea and national team attacker Lauren James].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and your memories?

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think I played for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

Kelly: And you weren't a backline player at initially, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...

James: I began as a forward, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left wing, right wing, and later to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I became a right-back since.

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

Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the athlete I admired.

The host: Identify a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has influenced your development and the professional you have evolved into?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is most challenging and that is probably what most players making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, of course. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at that period? The location was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so well?

James: The primary factor is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and family and had to grow up quickly. Participating on a regular schedule helped a lot.

Kelly: Who has had the greatest influence on your professional journey?

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is nearly old enough to be my dad and has played at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he joined and continues to, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he assist you?

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

The presenter: It was undoubtedly nice to meet him recently [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 semi-finals to the champions Chelsea]. It is always good to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to go back and replay one match in your professional history, what would you choose?

Reece: If the outcome is remains the identical - it would be the European Cup decider.

The host: Other than winning, what was so special about that night