Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program in which prominent figures from sports and show business join presenter Kelly Somers for frank and detailed discussions about football.

The program examines mental approach and drive, covering defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. This series reveals the person beyond the athlete.

Reece James 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.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include making his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

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

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect many will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.

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

Reece: No, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and stuff.

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

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved the sport.

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 growing up?

James: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was big in your family, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

The athlete: So we were three children during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

The presenter: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Because I read that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I remember - the drills started young. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sister [the club and national team forward Lauren James].

Kelly: Tell me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, its name, and what can you remember?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was the local team in the area. I believe I played for about twelve months. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.

Kelly: You didn't start as a backline player at first, correct? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left wing, right wing, and later to midfield, and then eventually at defensive role, and I disliked it at the time.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as frequently but one day it just clicked and I've been a right-back since.

The interviewer: You said you started as a forward - who was your role model?

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he was the player I admired.

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

The defender: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is the hardest and that is likely what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? The location was distant from everything you knew in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

James: The first thing is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and relatives and had to grow up quickly. Playing on a consistent basis assisted significantly.

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

Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at elite standard for so long. He always tried to help me from the minute he arrived and still does, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].

Kelly: In what way would he assist you?

James: It was small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he occasionally see things that I saw differently and attempt and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It must have been nice to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved great to see him again. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It is always good to encounter him.

Kelly: If you could return and experience again one match in your career, which would you pick?

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

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