Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program where leading personalities from sports and show business participate with host Kelly Somers for candid and detailed discussions about football.

We'll explore mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. This series reveals the individual beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include making his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over the past four seasons.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: First question: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.

The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

Reece: No, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

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

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

James: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, right? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: So we were three children during childhood. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

The presenter: Do you remember many of those training periods? Since I read that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I remember - the drills started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England forward his sister].

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

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. 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.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at first, correct? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

James: I began as a forward, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left side, right wing, and later to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as frequently but one day it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

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

James: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter growing up and he represented the player I admired.

Kelly: Identify a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is the hardest and that is probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.

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

James: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which helps. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and family and had to mature quickly. Playing on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

Kelly: Who has had the biggest impact on your professional journey?

Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is almost old enough to be my dad and has played at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he arrived and continues to, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: How specifically would he assist you?

James: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly nice to see him recently [during the tournament]?

Reece: It proved great to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It is always good to encounter him.

The interviewer: Were you able to return and experience again a single game in your career, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is remains the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

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