Kelly: What does a typical day off look like for you, if you’re having a day away from football?
Reece: If it’s pre-season I’m not leaving the house, because I’m tired. I’d literally be in bed all day. If it’s in season, I’d probably go into London with my friends, see what they’re up to.
Kelly: How do you escape, because football is so intense?
Reece: When I get home, I just try not to think too much, take things in my stride.
Kelly: Fashion is a big thing for you, you like a fashion show?
Reece: I like a fashion show, yeah, depending on the time of year. Fashion is good – it’s something I am interested in and enjoy.
Kelly: How would you describe your fashion sense?
Reece: Now it’s a lot more chilled. A few years ago, it was a bit more edgy.
Kelly: Is that down to maturing?
Reece: Maybe boredom!
Kelly: How would your friends describe you? You come across super laid back. Would they say the same?
Reece: Most of the time, yeah. I have a sharper side as well. Not everything goes my way. Sometimes I’m not in the mood, and they see that more than other people.
Kelly: Has your personality changed as you’ve got older and everything you’ve gone through?
Reece: Yeah, a lot. I’ve had a lot of disappointment, setbacks. That changes the way you think and view things.
Kelly: Do you think becoming a captain has changed you as well?
Reece: Yeah, it’s benefited me – it’s helped me grow as a person. I need to help the younger team-mates and try and improve them as players and as people.
Kelly: How would team-mates describe you?
Reece: Why don’t we pull one of them in! That would be slightly easier. They’d probably say I’m chilled as well.
Kelly: But you’re not chilled on the pitch, I’ve seen you play. It seems like there is a very different Reece James sitting here to Reece James the captain.
Reece: I’m not sure what happens. It’s all or nothing on the pitch, and then off the pitch it’s like whatever happens, happens.
Kelly: Your friendship with Lewis Hamilton… he posted congratulations to you. It wasn’t sent from someone just observing, it was from someone that clearly knows you. Talk to me about that relationship with him.
Reece: We’re reasonably close. He’s probably the greatest F1 driver to have lived. I know we play different sports, but there are many similarities. He tries to help me where he can, when I’m going through difficult spells, because he has been at a high level for longer, and he’s been through more.
Kelly: How did you get to know each other?
Reece: Through a mutual friend, and then we have been in contact since.
Kelly: What are you most proud of?
Reece: Probably the trophies I have won for the club.
Kelly: Any one in particular?
Reece: I wouldn’t pick, they all play a huge part together.
Kelly: Tell me something that people get wrong about you the most.
Reece: I don’t know, to be honest. A lot of people say a lot of stuff. Everyone has their opinion, but it doesn’t really bother me. I don’t know if I see anything, I’m not really paying attention anyway.
Kelly: If you could only achieve one more thing for the rest of your career, what would it be?
Reece: To win the World Cup.
