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

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The Football Interview represents a new series in which leading personalities from athletics and show business join presenter the interviewer for candid and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mental approach and drive, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series uncovers the person beyond the player.

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

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

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include earning his England debut against Wales in 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

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

James sat down with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

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

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I expect more people will recognize that location. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

The defender: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this tough to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and development?

James: Not particularly, just because my memory is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, attending matches of my sibling play. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was big in your family, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: So there was three of us during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those training periods? Because I read that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

James: Yes, I recall - the drills started young. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward Lauren James].

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

Reece: I don't remember much, frankly. It was the local team in Kew. I believe I was there for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a backline player at first, were you? Explain about your positional journey and how that changed...

James: I began as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right side, and later to central positions, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as much but eventually it just clicked and I've been a right-back since.

Kelly: You said you began as a forward - who was your idol?

James: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he was the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is the hardest and that is probably what most players making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, of course. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at that period? The location was distant from all you were familiar with in London - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and relatives and was forced to mature fast. Playing on a regular schedule helped significantly.

Kelly: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's almost old enough to be my dad and has played at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he joined and still does, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: These were little messages off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations 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 see him again. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to see him.

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

James: Assuming the result is remains the same - I'd select the European Cup decider.

The host: Besides winning, what was so special about that night