Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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

The program examines mental approach and motivation, covering defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual behind the player.

Reece James started practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

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

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over the past four seasons.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

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

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect many will recognize that location. My coffee is a flat white.

The host: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

James: No, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

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

Reece: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of all I knew in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.

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

James: Not particularly, just because my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, going to watch my brother play. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your family, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: So there was three children during childhood. It was all football mad, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

The presenter: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Because I read that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I remember - the training began early. Fortunately, they paid off for me and my sister [Chelsea and national team attacker his sister].

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

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was the local team in Kew. I think I played for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

Kelly: And you weren't a backline player at first, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...

James: I began as a forward, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left side, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I always wanted to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I became a right-back since.

Kelly: You mentioned you began as a forward - who was your role model?

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he was the player I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a turning point in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the professional you have become?

The defender: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is most challenging and this represents probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, naturally. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? The location was miles away from all you knew in the capital - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I played consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and family and had to mature fast. Participating on a regular schedule helped a lot.

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

Reece: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for so long. He always tried to help me from the minute he joined and continues to, 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. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I saw alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It must have been pleasant to meet him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved great to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to see him.

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

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

The host: Besides victory, what was so special about the occasion