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

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The Football Interview represents an innovative program where leading personalities from athletics and entertainment join host the interviewer for candid and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mindset and drive, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual behind the athlete.

Reece James began practicing with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include making his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries 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: First question: name, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

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

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a big part of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: No, just because my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, going to watch my sibling compete. He is 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's a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: So there was three of us growing up. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced 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 practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I remember - the training started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for me and my sister [the club and national team attacker his sister].

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

Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was the local team in Kew. I think I played for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

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

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

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as much but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

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

Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he was the player I admired.

Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is the hardest and that is likely what most players making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, of course. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at that period? The location was distant from everything you knew in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

James: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to grow up quickly. Playing on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

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

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at elite standard for many years. He always tried to help me from the moment he joined and still does, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: In what way would he help you?

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

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

The defender: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It's always good to encounter him.

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

Reece: If the outcome is going to be the identical - I'd select the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Other than victory, what was so special about that night