Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton
- Published
The Football Interview represents an innovative program where leading personalities from athletics and entertainment participate with host Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.
The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. The Football Interview uncovers the individual beyond the athlete.
Reece James began practicing with the London club at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.
The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.
Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include earning his England debut against Wales in 2020, claiming the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.
Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.
James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.
'He's nearly old enough to be my dad' - Reece James reveals Thiago Silva's impact on his career
The interviewer: Initial inquiry: identity, your origins, and what's your coffee order?
Reece James: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that area. My coffee is a specific coffee type.
Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?
Reece: No, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.
The presenter: Let's start by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?
The defender: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved the sport.
The interviewer: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to answer because it represented a big part of your childhood and growing up?
James: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my brother play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.
Kelly: It was big in your family, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a bit about that.
The athlete: So we were three children during childhood. We were all football mad, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train a lot with him.
Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Since I read that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.
James: Yeah, I remember - the drills started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and England attacker his sister].
Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you played for as a youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?
The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I played for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.
The host: And you weren't a backline player at initially, correct? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...
James: I started off as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left wing, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at that period.
The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?
Reece: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as much but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.
Reece James won the Champions League in 2021 when Chelsea beat Man City by one goal in the final in the Portuguese city
Kelly: You said you started as a forward - who was your role model?
Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the athlete I looked up to.
The host: Identify a turning point in your career - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?
The defender: I would probably say going on loan. Transitioning between youth and first-team football is the hardest and that is probably what most players making the jump find difficult.
The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, of course. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? The location was distant from all you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so well?
Reece: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and family and had to grow up fast. Participating on a consistent basis helped significantly.
Kelly: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your professional journey?
Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he arrived and continues to, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].
Kelly: How specifically would he help you?
Reece: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I perceived alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.
Kelly: It must have been nice to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?
The defender: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It's always good to see him.
The interviewer: If you could go back and experience again a single game in your career, which would you pick?
Reece: If the outcome is remains the identical - it would be the European Cup decider.
The host: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about that night
