Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program where leading personalities from sports and entertainment participate with presenter the interviewer for frank and detailed discussions about football.

We'll explore mental approach and drive, covering defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. This series uncovers the individual beyond the athlete.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, netting on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights to date include making his England debut against the Welsh team in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed club captain 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, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

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

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that location. My coffee is a flat white.

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

James: No, it started with, like, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

Kelly: Let's start by talking football. What does football mean to you?

The defender: I mean, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't the most academic student, and I just loved playing football.

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

Reece: No, just because my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my brother compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was big in your household, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

Reece: Well we were three children growing up. We were 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 many of those training periods? Because I read that starting from the four years old, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the training began early. Thankfully, 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 youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I was there for about twelve months. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a defender at initially, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and its development...

James: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left side, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at that period.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I became a defender since.

Kelly: You mentioned you started as an attacker - who was your idol?

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

The host: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is the hardest and that is probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

Kelly: You're talking about the club, of course. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? It was distant from everything you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and relatives and had to grow up quickly. Participating on a regular schedule helped a lot.

The interviewer: Who has had the greatest influence on your professional journey?

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He is almost old enough to be my father and has played at elite standard for so long. He always tried to assist me from the minute he joined and still does, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he assist you?

James: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw differently and attempt and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It must have been pleasant to see him recently [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was great to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It is consistently positive to see him.

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

James: Assuming the result is going to be the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].

The host: Other than victory, what was so special about that night