Style Obsession, Looking Up To Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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The Football Interview represents an innovative program in which leading personalities from athletics and show business join presenter Kelly Somers for frank and detailed dialogues about football.

The program examines mindset and drive, covering defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual behind the athlete.

Reece James started practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries impacting him over the past four seasons.

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

Kelly Somers: First question: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that location. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

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

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

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your early years and development?

Reece: No, just because my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was big in your family, wasn't it, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, right? Tell me a little about that.

Reece: Well there was three children growing up. We were all football mad, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

The presenter: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Because I learned that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I recall - the drills started young. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sister [the club and England attacker Lauren James].

Kelly: 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, frankly. It was the local team in the area. I think I was there for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a defender at initially, correct? Explain about your positional journey and how that changed...

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

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I became a defender since.

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

James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he was the athlete I looked up to.

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

Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is the hardest and that is likely what most players making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're talking about the club, of course. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? It was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so effectively?

James: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and relatives and had to mature fast. Playing on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

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

Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is almost old enough to be my father and has played at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he joined and continues to, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

James: These were small pieces of advice away from games. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been nice to meet him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

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

James: Assuming the result is going to be the identical - it would be the European Cup decider.

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