Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes a new series in which leading personalities from sports and show business participate with presenter Kelly Somers for candid and detailed dialogues about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual beyond the player.

Reece James began practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - having progressed through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.

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

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

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to talk about his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

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

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will recognize that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.

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

James: Not particularly, just because my memory is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

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

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

Kelly: Do you remember a lot 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 drills began early. Thankfully, they paid off for me and my sister [the club and national team forward his sister].

Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you played for as a youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?

The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was the local team in the area. I think I played for about twelve months. It was from there that I was scouted for the professional club.

The host: And you weren't a backline player at first, were you? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...

James: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left wing, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as frequently but eventually it just clicked 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 [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as 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 shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is most challenging and this represents likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, naturally. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? It was distant from everything you knew in London - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to mature fast. Participating on a regular schedule assisted significantly.

Kelly: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?

Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has played at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he arrived and still does, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

Kelly: In what way would he help you?

Reece: It was little messages off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I perceived alternatively and attempt and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It must have been nice to meet him recently [during the tournament]?

Reece: It was wonderful 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 consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to go back and experience again a single game in your career, which would you pick?

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

Kelly: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about that night