Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program where prominent figures from athletics and entertainment join host the interviewer for frank and detailed discussions about football.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. This series uncovers the individual behind the athlete.

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

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include making his international bow against Wales in 2020, claiming the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: identity, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect 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 similar drinks.

The presenter: Let's start by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?

The defender: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

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

James: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, going to watch my sibling play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your family, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: So we were three children growing up. We were all football mad, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

The presenter: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Since I learned that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yes, I recall - the training began early. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sister [Chelsea and England attacker his sister].

Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you represented as a child, what was it called, and what can you remember?

The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I was there for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

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

James: I started off as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left side, right wing, and later to central positions, and then eventually at defensive role, and I disliked it at the time.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for 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.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as an attacker - who served as your idol?

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

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

Reece: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is the hardest and this represents likely 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 the time? It was distant from all you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so well?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and relatives and had to grow up fast. Playing on a consistent basis helped significantly.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has played at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he arrived and continues to, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: It was little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I saw alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It must have been nice to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his club performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It's always good to encounter him.

Kelly: Were you able to go back and replay a single game in your professional history, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is going to be the identical - it would be the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Besides winning, what was so special about that night