Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

• Published
  47 minutes ago

The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program where prominent figures from sports and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for candid and detailed dialogues about football.

We'll explore mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the individual behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began practicing with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now club captain.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, 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 club captain in 2023.

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

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: identity, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect more people will recognize that area. My coffee is a flat white.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, like, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

The presenter: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What significance does soccer hold to you?

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved the sport.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this tough to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and development?

Reece: Not particularly, just because my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, unsure, attending matches of 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 so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: Well there was three of us during childhood. We were all football mad, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

The presenter: Can you recall many of those training periods? Since I read that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yeah, I recall - the training began early. Fortunately, they paid off for me and my sibling [the club and national team forward his sister].

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

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was the local team in Kew. I think I was there for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

Kelly: You didn't start as a backline player at first, correct? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I began as a striker, and then eventually moved to the wing, left wing, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.

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

James: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he was the player 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 the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is most challenging and that is likely what most players making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're talking about the club, of course. What made was Wigan the right club for you at the time? It was miles away from everything you knew in the capital - what made it successful so well?

James: The first thing is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to mature fast. Playing on a consistent basis helped a lot.

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

Reece: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at the highest level for many years. He always tried to assist me from the moment he arrived and continues to, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: These were 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 pleasant to see him this summer [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was great 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 Chelsea]. It's always good to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to go back and replay a single game in your career, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is remains the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].

The host: Besides winning, what was so special about that night