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

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The Football Interview represents a new series where prominent figures from athletics and show business participate with host the interviewer for candid and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mental approach and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. This series uncovers the individual behind 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 club captain.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include earning his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, winning the Champions League 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 career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: First question: name, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect many will recognize that location. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

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

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

The defender: I mean, from a little kid, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

Kelly: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, going to watch my sibling play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

Reece: So we were three children during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, 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? Because I read that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I recall - the drills started young. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sister [the club and national team forward Lauren James].

Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a child, its name, and your memories?

Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think I was there for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a defender at initially, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and its development...

Reece: I started off as a forward, and then eventually moved to the wing, left side, right side, and later to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as much but eventually everything fell into place and I became a right-back since.

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

James: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he represented the athlete I admired.

The host: Identify a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Transitioning between academy and senior level is the hardest and this represents likely what many athletes making the jump find challenging.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at the time? It was distant from everything you were familiar with in London - why did it work so well?

James: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and relatives and was forced to mature quickly. Participating on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

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

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he joined and still does, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I saw differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

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

Reece: It proved great to see him again. I'm pleased that his club did well in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions Chelsea]. It's always good to encounter him.

Kelly: Were you able to return and experience again a single game in your career, which would you pick?

James: Assuming the result is remains the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about the occasion