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

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The Football Interview represents an innovative program where prominent figures from athletics and entertainment join presenter Kelly Somers for frank and detailed dialogues about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and drive, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. This series uncovers the person beyond the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began training with the London club at six years old and - having progressed through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include making his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

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

James sat down with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

The interviewer: First question: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

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

The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

James: No, I began with, like, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

The presenter: Let's start by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?

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

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?

Reece: No, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He's two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was big in your family, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

Reece: Well there was three children during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Because I read that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

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

The interviewer: Tell me about your initial club that you played for as a youngster, its name, and what can you remember?

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was the local team in Kew. I think I was there for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

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

James: I began as a striker, and then eventually moved to the wing, left side, right wing, and eventually 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 always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the football as much but one day it just clicked and I became a defender since.

Kelly: You mentioned you began as an attacker - who was your idol?

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he was the athlete I looked up to.

The host: Identify a turning point in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

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

Kelly: You're talking about the club, of course. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? The location was distant from all you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and family and had to grow up fast. Playing on a consistent basis helped a lot.

The interviewer: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's nearly old enough to be my father and has played at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he joined and still does, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: It was little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally see things that I perceived differently and try and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly nice to meet him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It is consistently positive to see him.

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

Reece: If the outcome is going to be the same - it would be the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Other than victory, what was so special about that night