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

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program where prominent figures from athletics and show business join host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive discussions about football.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the person beyond the athlete.

Reece James began training with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include earning his international bow against Wales in 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: identity, where you're from, 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 area. My coffee is a flat white.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: No, I began with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

The defender: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved the sport.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a big part of your early years and growing up?

James: No, just because my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, attending matches of my brother play. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: Well there was three children 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: Can you recall many of those training periods? Since I learned that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the training started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [Chelsea and England forward his sister].

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

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. That was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I believe I was there for about twelve months. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at initially, were you? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...

James: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left side, right wing, and later to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I always wanted to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I became a defender since.

The interviewer: You said you started as an attacker - who was your role model?

Reece: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he was the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is most challenging and that is likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

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

James: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and relatives and had to grow up fast. Playing on a regular schedule assisted significantly.

Kelly: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is almost old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he joined and still does, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he help you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw differently and try and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It must have been pleasant to meet him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It's always good to encounter him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and experience again one match in your professional history, what would you choose?

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

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