Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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

We'll explore mindset and drive, covering defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. This series uncovers the individual behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender started training with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

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

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include earning his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, 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 friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: name, 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 location. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

The presenter: We'll begin by talking football. What does football mean to you?

The defender: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved the sport.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

James: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, going to watch my brother play. He is two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: Well we were three children during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Because I read that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the training started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward Lauren James].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your first ever team that you represented as a youngster, its name, and what can you remember?

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was the local team in Kew. I believe I was there for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at first, were you? Explain about your positional journey and how that changed...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the football as much but one day everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as an attacker - who served as your idol?

Reece: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he represented the athlete 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 likely what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, naturally. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was miles away from all you knew in London - what made it successful so well?

James: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and family and was forced to grow up quickly. Participating on a consistent basis helped a lot.

Kelly: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he arrived and continues to, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: In what way would he help you?

Reece: These were little messages off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I perceived differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It must have been pleasant to see him recently [during the tournament]?

The defender: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his club did well in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It's consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: If you could return and experience again a single game in your career, what would you choose?

Reece: If the outcome is remains the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Besides victory, what was so special about that night