Style Obsession, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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The Football Interview represents a new series in which prominent figures from sports and show business 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 personal reflections. This series uncovers the person beyond the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began training with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include making his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries impacting him over recent years.

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

Kelly Somers: First question: name, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will know that area. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

The presenter: We'll begin by talking football. What significance does soccer hold to you?

The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I just loved playing football.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this tough to answer because it was such a big part of your childhood and development?

James: No, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, going to watch my sibling compete. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, correct, because your dad was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: So we were three of us growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, 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 sessions? Since I read that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yeah, I recall - the drills began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sister [the club and national team forward his sister].

The interviewer: Tell me about your first ever team that you represented as a child, what was it called, and what can you remember?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I played for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a defender at first, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I began as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left wing, right side, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since 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.

Kelly: You mentioned you started as an attacker - who was your role model?

James: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he was the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Identify a turning point 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. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is the hardest and this represents probably what many athletes making the jump find difficult.

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

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and family and had to grow up quickly. Playing on a regular schedule helped a lot.

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

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He is nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has played at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he joined and still does, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived differently and attempt and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It must have been pleasant to see him recently [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's always good to see him.

Kelly: If you could return and experience again a single game in your career, which would you pick?

James: If the outcome is remains the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].

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