Style Obsession, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes a new series where leading personalities from sports and entertainment join host the interviewer for candid and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and drive, covering defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. This series reveals the individual behind the player.

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

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include earning his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

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

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

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

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure many will recognize that location. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

The defender: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?

Reece: No, just because my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

Reece: So we were three children during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Since I learned that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

Reece: Yeah, I remember - the drills began early. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sister [the club and England attacker Lauren James].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a child, what was it called, and what can you remember?

The defender: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was the local team in Kew. I believe I played for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: And you weren't a backline player at first, were you? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...

James: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left side, right side, and later to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: 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 everything fell into place and I became a right-back since.

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

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

The host: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?

Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between academy and senior level is the hardest and that is likely what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? It was distant from everything you knew in London - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I played consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and family and had 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'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's nearly old enough to be my dad and has played at the highest level for many years. He always tried to help me from the minute he arrived and still does, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: In what way would he help you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he occasionally see things that I perceived differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been pleasant to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team did well in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It is consistently positive to see him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and replay one match in your career, what would you choose?

James: Assuming the result is going to be the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].

The host: Besides winning, what was so special about the occasion