Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

• Published
  Less than an hour ago

The Football Interview represents an innovative program where prominent figures from sports and entertainment join presenter the interviewer for frank and detailed dialogues about football.

The program examines mindset and drive, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. The Football Interview uncovers the individual beyond the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began practicing with the London club at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include making his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries affecting 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 Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will recognize that area. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

James: Not exactly, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and stuff.

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

The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this tough to respond to because it was such a big part of your early years and development?

James: Not particularly, just because my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, attending matches of my brother compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.

Reece: Well there was three children growing up. We were all football mad, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Can you recall many of those training periods? 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. Thankfully, they paid off 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 what can you remember?

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I played for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: And you weren't a backline player at first, were you? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I started off as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I became a defender since.

Kelly: You mentioned you began as a forward - who served as your role model?

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

Kelly: Identify a turning point in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

The defender: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is the hardest and this represents probably what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, of course. Why was Wigan the right club for you at the time? It was miles away from everything you were familiar with in London - why did it work so effectively?

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 had to mature fast. Participating on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

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

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for many years. He always tried to help me from the moment he arrived and continues to, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

James: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I saw alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to meet him recently [during the tournament]?

Reece: It was great to see him again. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. 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: Assuming the result is remains the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].

The host: Besides winning, what was so special about the occasion