Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes a new series in which prominent figures from sports and show business join presenter the interviewer for candid and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. This series reveals the individual behind the player.

The Chelsea defender started training with the London club at six years old and - having progressed through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include making his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries affecting him over the past four seasons.

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

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

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that area. My beverage is a flat white.

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

James: No, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and stuff.

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

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

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

Reece: No, just because my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, going to watch my sibling compete. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.

The athlete: Well we were three children during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

The presenter: Do you remember many of those sessions? Because I learned that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yeah, I recall - the drills began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England forward his sister].

Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a child, its name, and what can you remember?

The defender: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I played for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

The host: And you weren't a defender at first, were you? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...

Reece: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left side, right wing, and later to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as much but one day it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

Kelly: You mentioned you began as a forward - who was your idol?

James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he represented the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Identify a turning point in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Transitioning between youth and senior level is most challenging and that is probably what many athletes making the jump find challenging.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, naturally. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? It was miles away from everything you knew in London - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and relatives and was forced to mature quickly. Playing on a regular schedule helped significantly.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your professional journey?

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at the highest level for so long. He always tried to assist me from the minute he arrived and still does, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I perceived differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It must have been nice to see him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: 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 eventual winners his team]. It's always good to encounter him.

Kelly: If you could return and experience again a single game in your professional history, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is going to be the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Besides winning, what was so special about the occasion