Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents a new series where prominent figures from athletics and show business participate with host Kelly Somers for candid and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

The program examines mindset and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the individual beyond the player.

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

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights to date include earning his international bow against Wales in 2020, claiming the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over the past four seasons.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: First question: identity, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that location. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

James: No, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

The defender: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it was such a big part of your childhood and development?

James: No, just because my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, going to watch my sibling compete. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was big in your family, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: So there was three of us growing up. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

The presenter: Can you recall many of those training periods? Since I read that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.

James: Yes, I remember - the training started young. Thankfully, they paid off for me and my sister [Chelsea and national team attacker his sister].

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

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was the local team in the area. I think I played for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a defender at first, correct? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

James: I began as a striker, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left side, right side, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at defensive role, and I disliked it at that period.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

Kelly: You said you began as a forward - who was your role model?

Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he was the player I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

Reece: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is the hardest and this represents likely what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, of course. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was distant from everything you knew in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and family and was forced to mature quickly. Playing on a regular schedule assisted significantly.

Kelly: Who has had the greatest influence on your professional journey?

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he joined and continues to, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice away from games. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I saw alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been nice to meet him recently [during the tournament]?

Reece: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

Kelly: Were you able to return and experience again one match in your professional history, what would you choose?

Reece: Assuming the result is going to be the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].

The host: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about the occasion