Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

• Published
  47 minutes ago

The Football Interview represents an innovative program in which prominent figures from sports and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for candid and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the person behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.

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

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

Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

James: Not exactly, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes 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 education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, going to watch my brother play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

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

Reece: Well we were three of us during childhood. It was all football mad, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Since I learned that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I recall - the drills began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [the club and England attacker Lauren James].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a child, what was it called, and what can you remember?

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was the local team in the area. I think I played for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

The host: And you weren't a defender at first, were you? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...

Reece: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left side, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I became a defender since.

Kelly: You said you started as an attacker - who was your role model?

James: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he was the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a turning point in your career - a moment that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?

Reece: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is the hardest and that is probably what most players transitioning upwards find challenging.

Kelly: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? The location was miles away from everything you knew in the capital - what made it successful so well?

James: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and family and was forced to grow up fast. Playing on a regular schedule helped a lot.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your professional journey?

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he arrived and still does, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].

Kelly: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he occasionally see things that I saw alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been nice to meet him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It was 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's consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: If you could return and replay a single game in your career, what would you choose?

Reece: If the outcome is going to be the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].

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