Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton
- Published
The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program where leading personalities from sports and entertainment join host the interviewer for candid and detailed dialogues about football.
The program examines mindset and drive, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the person beyond the athlete.
The Chelsea defender began training with Chelsea at six years old and - having progressed through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.
The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in 2019.
Now 25, James' career highlights to date include making his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.
However, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.
The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.
The defender discusses the veteran's influence on his professional journey
Kelly Somers: First question: identity, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?
The athlete: The name is 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.
Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?
James: No, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.
The presenter: Let's start by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?
The defender: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I just loved playing football.
The interviewer: Your first recollection of playing? Is this difficult to respond to because it represented a big part of your early years and growing up?
Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.
The host: It was significant in your family, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, right? Tell me a bit about that.
The athlete: Well there was three of us during childhood. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.
The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Since I learned that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.
Reece: Yeah, I recall - the drills began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [Chelsea and England attacker his sister].
The interviewer: Tell me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?
The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was the local team in the area. I think I played for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.
Kelly: You didn't start as a backline player at initially, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...
Reece: I started off as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left wing, right wing, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.
The presenter: Why did you hate it?
The athlete: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I've been a defender since.
Reece James won the Champions League in that year when his team defeated Man City 1-0 in the final in the Portuguese city
The interviewer: You said you started as an attacker - who was your idol?
Reece: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he represented the player I looked up to.
The host: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment 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 the hardest and that is probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.
The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? The location was miles away from all you knew in London - what made it successful so well?
James: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and relatives and was forced to mature fast. Playing on a regular schedule helped significantly.
The interviewer: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?
The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is almost 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 joined and still does, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].
Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?
Reece: These were small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I saw alternatively and attempt and paint a different picture.
The presenter: It must have been pleasant to meet him recently [during the tournament]?
Reece: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his club did well in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It's always good to encounter him.
Kelly: If you could go back and replay one match in your professional history, what would you choose?
James: If the outcome is remains the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].
Kelly: Other than victory, what made it exceptional about the occasion