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

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The Football Interview constitutes a new series in which prominent figures from athletics and entertainment participate with presenter Kelly Somers for frank and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and drive, covering defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual behind the player.

Reece James started practicing with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over the past four seasons.

James sat down with the interviewer to talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: identity, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that area. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: No, it started with, like, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

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

The defender: I mean, from a little kid, it's kind of all I knew in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I just loved playing football.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to respond to because it was such a big part of your early years and development?

James: Not particularly, just because my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He is two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, correct, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

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

The presenter: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Because I learned that starting from the four years old, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yeah, I remember - the drills began early. Thankfully, they paid off for me and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward Lauren James].

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

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

Kelly: And you weren't a backline player at initially, were you? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...

Reece: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left side, right side, and later to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as much but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You said you began as an attacker - who served as your role model?

James: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he was the athlete I admired.

The host: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has influenced your development and the professional you have evolved into?

Reece: 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.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, naturally. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at that period? The location was miles away from all you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so well?

James: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and relatives and had to mature fast. Participating on a consistent basis assisted significantly.

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

Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's nearly old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for so long. He always tried to assist me from the moment he arrived and continues to, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice away from games. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I saw differently and try and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly nice to meet him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It is always good to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to go back and replay a single game in your career, which would you pick?

Reece: Assuming the result is remains the same - it would be the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Besides victory, what was so special about that night