Reece James: Chelsea captain in his own words in BBC Sport’s Football Interview

What are you doing? If you’re spending a day away from football, what does a typical day off look like for you?

Reece: If it’s pre-season, I don’t leave the house because I’m tired. I would literally be in bed all day. If it was in season I’d probably go to London with my friends, see what they’re doing.

What are you doing? How do you escape because football is so intense?

Reece: When I get home, I try not to think too much, just accept things as they come.

What are you doing? Fashion is a big thing for you; Do you like fashion shows?

Reece: I love a fashion show, yes, depending on the time of year. Fashion is beautiful; It’s something I’m interested in and enjoy.

What are you doing? How would you describe your sense of fashion?

Reece: It’s much colder now. A few years ago the situation was a little more tense.

What are you doing? Is this about maturation?

Reece: Maybe boredom!

What are you doing? How do your friends describe you? You encounter a super comfortable environment. Would they say the same thing?

Reece: Most of the time yes. I have a sharper side too. Not everything is going the way I want. Sometimes I’m not in the mood and they see that more than other people.

What are you doing? Has your personality changed as you’ve gotten older and with everything you’ve been through?

Reece: Yes, a lot. I’ve had a lot of disappointments and setbacks. This changes the way you think and see things.

What are you doing? Do you think being a captain has changed you too?

Reece: Yes, it helped me; It helped me grow as a person. I need to help my young teammates and try to develop them as players and people.

What are you doing? How would your teammates describe you?

Reece: Why don’t we pull one of them in? That would be a little easier. They’d probably say I was cold too.

What are you doing? But you’re not very comfortable on the field, I’ve seen you play. It looks like there’s a very different Reece James sitting here than the captain Reece James.

Reece: I’m not sure what will happen. On the field it’s all or nothing, off the field it’s no matter what.

What are you doing? Your friendship with Lewis Hamilton… he congratulated you. It wasn’t sent from someone who was just observing, it came from someone who clearly knows you. Tell me about your relationship with him.

Reece: We’re pretty close. Probably the best F1 driver who ever lived. I know we play different sports, but there are a lot of similarities. He tries to help me as much as he can when I’m going through tough times because he’s been at a higher level for longer and has been through more.

What are you doing? How did you know each other?

Reece: We kept in touch through a mutual friend.

What are you doing? What are you most proud of?

Reece: Probably the trophies I won on behalf of the club.

What are you doing? Any in particular?

Reece: I don’t choose, they all play a huge role together.

What are you doing? Tell me the one thing people get most wrong about you.

Reece: To be honest, I don’t know. Many people say many things. Everyone has their own opinion, but that doesn’t really concern me. I don’t know if I saw anything, I don’t pay much attention anyway.

What are you doing? If you could achieve just one more thing for the rest of your career, what would it be?

Reece: To win the World Cup.