Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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  47 minutes ago

The Football Interview represents an innovative program in which leading personalities from athletics and show business join presenter the interviewer for candid and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and drive, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the person beyond the athlete.

Reece James began training with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

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

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far 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.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

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

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

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and stuff.

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

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to answer because it was such a big part of your early years and development?

Reece: No, simply due to my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He's two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, right? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: Well there was three children during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

The presenter: Do you remember many of those sessions? Since I read that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the drills began early. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and national team attacker Lauren James].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your first ever team that you represented as a child, what was it called, and your memories?

The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think I was there for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.

Kelly: And you weren't a defender at first, were you? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left side, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at that period.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I always wanted 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.

Kelly: You mentioned you started as an attacker - who served as your role model?

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

The host: Identify a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?

Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between academy and senior level is most challenging and that is probably what most players making the jump find difficult.

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

James: The first thing is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my companions and relatives and was forced to mature quickly. Playing on a regular schedule helped a lot.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your career?

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is almost old enough to be my dad and has played at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he joined and still does, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: In what way would he help you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I perceived differently and attempt and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to meet him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team did well in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It's consistently positive to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to return and replay one match in your professional history, what would you choose?

James: Assuming the result is remains the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].

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