Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes a new series in which leading personalities from sports and entertainment join host the interviewer for candid and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mindset and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. This series reveals the person beyond the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began training with the London club 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 the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include making his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over the past four seasons.

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

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: identity, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.

The host: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

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

Kelly: Let's start by talking football. What significance does soccer hold to you?

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

Kelly: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: No, just because my memory is quite poor. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my brother play. He is two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: So there was three of us growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

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

James: Yes, I recall - the drills started young. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sibling [the club and England forward Lauren James].

The interviewer: Tell me about your first ever team that you represented as a child, its name, and your memories?

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I was there for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at initially, were you? Explain about your positional journey and how that changed...

James: I started off as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left wing, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as frequently but one day it just clicked and I became a defender since.

Kelly: You mentioned you started as a forward - who was your role model?

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the player I admired.

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

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is the hardest and this represents probably what most players making the jump find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, of course. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? It was distant from all you knew in London - why did it work so effectively?

James: The primary factor is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to mature quickly. Participating on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

The interviewer: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your career?

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he joined and still does, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: In what way would he help you?

Reece: These were little messages off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw differently and try and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It was great to see him again. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to the champions Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to return and experience again one match in your career, which would you pick?

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

The host: Other than victory, what was so special about the occasion