Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

• Released
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The Football Interview represents a new series where leading personalities from athletics and show business participate with presenter the interviewer for candid and detailed dialogues about football.

We'll explore mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the person beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender began 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 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 so far include earning his England debut against Wales in 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over the past four seasons.

James sat down with the interviewer to talk about his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

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

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

James: No, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

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

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, going to watch my sibling play. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: Well we were three children growing up. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Can you recall many of those training periods? Since I learned that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I recall - the training started young. Fortunately, they paid off for me and my sister [the club and England attacker Lauren James].

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

Reece: I don't remember much, frankly. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I was there for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at initially, correct? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...

James: I began as a forward, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left side, right wing, and later to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I became a right-back since.

Kelly: You said you began 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 athlete I looked up to.

Kelly: Identify a turning point in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the player you have become?

Reece: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is most challenging and this represents likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, of course. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? The location was distant from all you knew in London - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which helps. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and family and had to mature fast. Playing on a regular schedule helped significantly.

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

Reece: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's almost old enough to be my father and has played at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he joined and still does, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he help you?

Reece: It was little messages off the pitch. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived alternatively and attempt and paint a different picture.

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

Reece: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team did well in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It is always good to encounter him.

Kelly: Were you able to return and replay one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

James: If the outcome is remains the same - I'd select the European Cup decider.

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