Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview represents a new series in which leading personalities from athletics and entertainment participate with host the interviewer for candid and detailed dialogues about football.

The program examines mindset and drive, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series reveals the person behind the player.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights to date include earning his international bow against Wales in the year 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 multiple fitness issues impacting him over the past four seasons.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: identity, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will recognize that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

James: Not exactly, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

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

The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to respond to because it represented a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?

James: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my sibling compete. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, right? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: So there was three children growing up. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Since I read that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yes, I remember - the drills began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sister [the club and national team attacker his sister].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your first ever team that you played for as a child, its name, and your memories?

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was the local team in the area. I believe I was there for about twelve months. It was from there that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a backline player at initially, were you? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left side, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I became a right-back since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you began as an attacker - who was your role model?

James: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he represented the athlete 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?

Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is most challenging and this represents likely what most players making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, naturally. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? The location was distant from all you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so well?

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I moved away from my companions and family and was forced to mature fast. Participating on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

The interviewer: Who has had the biggest impact on your professional journey?

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is almost old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he arrived and continues to, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: In what way would he help you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I perceived differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been pleasant to see him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his team did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

Kelly: If you could go back and replay one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

James: Assuming the result is remains the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about that night