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

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program in which prominent figures from athletics and show business participate with host the interviewer for candid and comprehensive discussions about football.

The program examines mindset and drive, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. This series reveals the person beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender began training with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include making his England debut against the Welsh team in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries impacting him over the past four seasons.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

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

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will recognize that area. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

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

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

The defender: Essentially, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

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

James: No, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, unsure, going to watch my brother play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

The athlete: Well there was three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

The presenter: Can you recall many of those training periods? Because I read that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

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

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

The defender: I don't remember much, to be honest. That was the local team in the area. I believe I played for about a year. 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 role evolution and how that changed...

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

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.

The interviewer: You said you started as a forward - who was your idol?

Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he was the player I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is most challenging and this represents likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, naturally. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? The location was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and family and was forced to mature fast. Playing on a regular schedule helped significantly.

The interviewer: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your professional journey?

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for many years. He always tried to assist me from the minute he arrived and still does, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: In what way would he help you?

Reece: It was little messages away from games. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I perceived alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

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

The defender: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to return and experience again a single game in your professional history, which would you pick?

James: Assuming the result is remains the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].

The host: Besides winning, what was so special about the occasion