Style Obsession, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes a new series where prominent figures from sports and entertainment join presenter the interviewer for frank and detailed dialogues about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and drive, covering defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. This series uncovers the person behind the athlete.

Reece James started practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include earning his international bow against Wales in 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries impacting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

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

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

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

James: Not exactly, I began with, like, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

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

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

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and development?

Reece: No, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, going to watch my sibling play. He's 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 deeply engaged? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.

The athlete: So we were three of us during childhood. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Can you recall many of those sessions? Because I read that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I remember - the drills began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [Chelsea and England forward Lauren James].

Kelly: Talk to me about your first ever team that you represented as a child, what was it called, and your memories?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think I was there for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

Kelly: And you weren't a backline player at first, were you? Explain about your positional journey and how that changed...

Reece: I began as a striker, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left wing, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as much but one day everything fell into place and I became a defender since.

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

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

The host: Can you think of a turning point in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the professional you have become?

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between youth and senior level is the hardest and that is probably what most players making the jump find difficult.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at the time? It was distant from everything you were familiar with in London - why did it work so effectively?

James: The first thing is that I played consistently, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and family and was forced to mature quickly. Playing on a consistent basis helped significantly.

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

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He is nearly old enough to be my dad and has played at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he joined and continues to, even now he is departed [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

James: It was little messages away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I saw differently and attempt and paint a different picture.

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

The defender: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his club did well in the competition [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

Kelly: If you could return and replay a single game in your professional history, which would you pick?

James: If the outcome is remains the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].

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