Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview represents a new series where leading personalities from sports and show business join host the interviewer for candid and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mindset and drive, covering defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the person beyond the athlete.

Reece James began practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - having progressed through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

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

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure many will know that area. My coffee is a flat white.

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: No, it started with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved the sport.

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

James: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, going to watch my sibling play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your father was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

Reece: So there was three of us growing up. We were all football mad, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

The presenter: Do you remember many of those sessions? Because I learned that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I remember - the drills started young. Fortunately, they paid off for me and my sister [the club and national team attacker Lauren James].

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

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I played for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at initially, correct? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and later to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I always wanted to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I became a right-back since.

Kelly: You mentioned you began as an attacker - who served as your role model?

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter growing up and he was the player I looked up to.

The host: Can you think of a turning point in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and senior level is most challenging and this represents likely what most players making the jump find challenging.

The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, of course. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was miles away from everything you knew in London - why did it work so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and relatives and had to grow up fast. Participating on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

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

Reece: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he arrived and still does, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

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

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

The defender: It was great to see him again. I'm happy that his team did well in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It is always good to encounter him.

The interviewer: Were you able to go back and replay one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

James: If the outcome is remains the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

The host: Other than victory, what made it exceptional about that night