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

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The Football Interview represents an innovative program in which prominent figures from sports and entertainment participate with host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

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

Reece James began training with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, netting on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements to date include making his England debut against the Welsh team in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.

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: 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 know that area. My coffee is a flat white.

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: No, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this tough to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, attending matches of my sibling play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

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

The athlete: So we were three of us growing up. It was all football mad, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Since I learned that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he conducted exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I recall - the training began early. Thankfully, they paid off for me and my sister [the club and national team forward his sister].

Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you played for as a youngster, its name, and your memories?

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was the local team in Kew. I think I played for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

Kelly: You didn't start as a backline player at initially, correct? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...

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

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

Kelly: You said you started as an attacker - who was your idol?

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

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

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is most challenging and this represents likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, naturally. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was miles away from everything you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

James: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and family and was forced to mature quickly. Participating on a regular schedule helped a lot.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your career?

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He is nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he joined and continues to, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

James: It was small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I saw alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.

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

Reece: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his team did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

Kelly: If you could return and replay a single game in your professional history, which would you pick?

Reece: Assuming the result is remains the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about the occasion