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

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program where prominent figures from athletics and entertainment join presenter the interviewer for candid and detailed discussions about football.

The program examines mindset and drive, covering pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series reveals the individual behind the athlete.

Reece James began practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, netting on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include earning his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over recent years.

James sat down with the interviewer to discuss his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: 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 many will know that location. My coffee is a flat white.

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: No, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

Kelly: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.

Kelly: Your first recollection of participating? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a big part of your early years and growing up?

James: No, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, attending matches of my sibling play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was big in your family, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: Well we were three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those training periods? Since 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 recall - the drills began early. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sibling [the club and national team attacker Lauren James].

Kelly: Tell me about your first ever team that you represented as a child, its name, and your memories?

Reece: I don't remember much, frankly. That was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think I was there for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a backline player at first, were you? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...

Reece: I started off as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you began as a forward - who served as your idol?

Reece: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he represented the athlete I admired.

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

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is the hardest and this represents likely what most players making the jump find difficult.

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

Reece: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and relatives and was forced to mature quickly. Playing on a consistent basis helped significantly.

The interviewer: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's almost old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he joined and still does, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].

Kelly: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: These were little messages off the pitch. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I saw alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him recently [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was great to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team did well in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

Kelly: Were you able to go back and experience again one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

James: Assuming the result is going to be the identical - I'd select the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Besides victory, what was so special about that night