Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview represents a new series in which leading personalities from athletics and entertainment join presenter Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mental approach and motivation, covering defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series reveals the individual behind the player.

Reece James started training with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights to date include earning his international bow against Wales in 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

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

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

Kelly Somers: First question: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will know that location. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

James: No, it started with, like, 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 school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved the sport.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and development?

James: Not particularly, just because my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was big in your household, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: Well there was three of us during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

The presenter: Can you recall many of those training periods? Because I read that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I remember - the drills started young. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sister [the club and national team forward his sister].

Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?

The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was the local team in the area. 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 defender at first, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

James: I began as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left side, right wing, and eventually to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I became a defender since.

Kelly: You said you started as a forward - who was 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: Can you think of a turning point in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

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

The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at that period? The location was miles away from everything you knew in the capital - why did it work so well?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I acquired valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and family and had to mature quickly. Playing on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

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

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has played at elite standard for many years. He always tried to assist me from the minute he joined and continues to, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: In what way would he assist you?

James: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I saw alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It must have been nice to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his club did well in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions Chelsea]. It is always good to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to go back and replay one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

Reece: Assuming the result is remains the identical - it would be the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about that night