Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program where prominent figures from athletics and entertainment participate with host Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. This series reveals the individual beyond the athlete.

Reece James started practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights to date include making his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries affecting him over the past four seasons.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to talk about his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: identity, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will know that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?

Reece: No, simply due to my memory is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, attending matches of my sibling play. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: So there was three children growing up. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Since I read that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I remember - the drills began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward his sister].

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

The defender: 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 Chelsea.

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

Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left side, right side, and later to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as much but eventually it just clicked and I became a right-back since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as an attacker - who was your idol?

Reece: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he represented the player I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a turning point in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?

Reece: I would probably say the loan spell. 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. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at that period? The location was miles away from all you knew in London - what made it successful so well?

James: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and relatives and had to mature fast. Playing on a consistent basis helped significantly.

The interviewer: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your professional journey?

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's nearly old enough to be my father and has played at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he joined and continues to, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

James: It was small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived differently and try and paint a different picture.

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

The defender: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's always good to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to return and replay one match in your career, which would you pick?

James: If the outcome is remains the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].

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