Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program in which prominent figures from sports and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for candid and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the individual beyond the player.

Reece James started training with Chelsea at six years old and - having progressed through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, scoring on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include earning his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

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

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure many will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

James: No, it started with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

The presenter: Let's start by talking football. What does football mean to you?

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, 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 playing? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a big part of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, attending matches of my brother play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was big in your household, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

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

Kelly: Do you remember many of those sessions? Since I read that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he conducted exercises with you in the yard.

James: Yes, I recall - the drills started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sister [Chelsea and England attacker his sister].

The interviewer: Talk to 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 the local team in the area. I think I was there for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a backline player at initially, were you? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I started off as a striker, and then eventually moved to the wing, left wing, right side, and later to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I became a defender since.

The interviewer: You said you began as a forward - who served as your role model?

Reece: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he represented the player I looked up to.

Kelly: Can you think of a turning point in your career - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

Reece: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between youth and senior level is most challenging and this represents likely what many athletes making the jump find difficult.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, of course. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? The location was distant from everything you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and relatives and was forced to grow up fast. Playing on a consistent basis helped a lot.

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

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at elite standard for many years. He always tried to assist me from the moment he arrived and continues to, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

James: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally see things that I saw differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

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

Reece: It proved great to see him again. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It's consistently positive to see him.

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

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

Kelly: Besides victory, what was so special about the occasion