Style Obsession, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program in which leading personalities from athletics and entertainment join presenter the interviewer for frank and detailed dialogues about football.

We'll explore mindset and drive, covering pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. This series reveals the person behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began training with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include making his international bow against Wales in 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

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

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

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

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

The host: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

James: No, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and stuff.

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

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.

Kelly: Your first recollection of playing? Is this difficult to respond to because it represented 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 brother compete. He is two years older 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 soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: So we were three children growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Since I learned that starting from the four years old, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I remember - the training began early. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and national team attacker Lauren James].

Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, its name, and your memories?

The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. 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 defender at first, were you? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

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

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as much but eventually it just clicked and I've been a right-back since.

Kelly: You said you started as a forward - who served as your role model?

James: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan growing up and he was the player I looked up to.

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

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

Kelly: You're referring to Wigan, 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 the capital - why did it work so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and family and was forced to mature fast. Participating on a consistent basis helped a lot.

The interviewer: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for many years. He always tried to assist me from the moment he joined and still does, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw differently and try and paint a different picture.

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

Reece: It was great to see him again. I'm pleased that his team did well in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It is always good to encounter him.

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

James: If the outcome is remains the same - I'd select the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about that night