Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes a new series where leading personalities from sports and entertainment join presenter the interviewer for candid and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. This series uncovers the person behind the athlete.

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

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

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include earning his international bow against Wales in 2020, claiming the Champions League 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 the past four seasons.

James sat down with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

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

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will recognize that location. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: No, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

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

The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and development?

Reece: No, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my brother compete. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, correct, because your dad was deeply engaged? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: Well there was three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Because I learned that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the drills began early. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sister [the club and England forward his sister].

The interviewer: Tell me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and your memories?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was the local team in Kew. I believe I was there for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

Kelly: And you weren't a defender at first, were you? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

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

The presenter: What caused your dislike for 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.

Kelly: You said you started as an attacker - who served as your role model?

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he represented the athlete I looked up to.

The host: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?

Reece: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and senior level is the hardest and that is probably what many athletes making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're talking about the club, naturally. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was distant from everything you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so well?

James: The first thing is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to grow up quickly. Participating on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

Kelly: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's nearly old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for so long. He always tried to help me from the moment he joined and still does, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I perceived differently and try and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It must have been pleasant to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?

Reece: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It is consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to go back and experience again one match in your career, which would you pick?

James: Assuming the result is going to be the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

The host: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about the occasion