Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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The Football Interview represents an innovative program where prominent figures from sports and entertainment join presenter the interviewer for candid and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

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

The Chelsea defender began training with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include earning his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

However, 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 professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

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

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure many will know that location. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: No, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

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

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

Reece: No, just because my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: So there was three of us growing up. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Because I learned that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

James: Yes, I remember - the drills started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [the club and national team attacker Lauren James].

Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, its name, and what can you remember?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I was there for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a defender at first, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

James: I began as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left wing, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I always wanted to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as much but one day it just clicked and I've been a right-back since.

The interviewer: You said you began as a forward - who served as your idol?

James: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is the hardest and that is probably what most players making the jump find challenging.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, of course. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? It was miles away from all you knew in London - why did it work so effectively?

James: The first thing is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and family and was forced to grow up fast. Playing on a regular schedule assisted significantly.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he joined and continues to, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: In what way would he help you?

James: These were little messages away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I saw differently and try and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly nice to see him recently [during the tournament]?

Reece: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions Chelsea]. It's always good to encounter him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and experience again one match in your career, which would you pick?

Reece: If the outcome is going to be the same - it would be the Champions League [final].

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