Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program in which prominent figures from sports and show business participate with presenter the interviewer for frank and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and drive, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview uncovers the person behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include earning his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.

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

Kelly Somers: First question: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

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

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

The defender: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

James: Not particularly, just because my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, attending matches of my brother compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your family, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: So there was three of us during childhood. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

The presenter: Do you remember many of those sessions? Since I learned that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

James: Yes, I remember - the drills began early. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sister [Chelsea and England attacker his sister].

Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you represented as a child, its name, and your memories?

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. That was the local team in Kew. I believe I played for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

The host: You didn't start as a backline player at first, were you? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

James: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left side, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the football as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

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

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

The host: Identify a turning point in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is the hardest and that is probably what most players transitioning upwards find challenging.

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

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and relatives and was forced to grow up fast. Participating on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your professional journey?

Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is almost old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he arrived and continues to, even now he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

James: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I saw alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him this summer [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his club performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It's consistently positive to see him.

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

James: If the outcome is remains the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].

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