Style Obsession, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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

We'll explore mindset and motivation, covering defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series reveals the person beyond the athlete.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, scoring on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights to date include earning his England debut against Wales in 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over the past four seasons.

James sat down with the interviewer to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

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

Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

James: No, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a big part of your early years and development?

James: Not particularly, just because my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, attending matches of my sibling play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was big in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

The athlete: So we were three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Since I read that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

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

Kelly: Tell me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, what was it called, and your memories?

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. That was the local team in the area. I think I was there for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a defender at initially, correct? 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 eventually to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as much but eventually it just clicked and I became a right-back since.

Kelly: You said you began as an attacker - who was your idol?

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the athlete I looked up to.

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

Reece: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is most challenging and that is probably what many athletes making the jump find difficult.

Kelly: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? It was distant from everything you knew in London - why did it work so well?

James: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and family and was forced to grow up quickly. Playing on a regular schedule helped a lot.

Kelly: Who has had the greatest influence on your professional journey?

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is nearly old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he joined and continues to, even now he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: In what way would he help you?

James: These were little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I perceived differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

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

The defender: It was 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 Chelsea]. It is always good to see him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and replay one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

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

Kelly: Besides victory, what was so special about the occasion