Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program where prominent figures from athletics and show business participate with host the interviewer for candid and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. This series uncovers the person behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include making his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to talk about his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: identity, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that location. My coffee is a flat white.

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

James: No, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes 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 all I knew in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a big part of your childhood and development?

James: No, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, going to watch my brother compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your family, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.

The athlete: Well we were three children growing up. We were all football mad, 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 read that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I recall - the training started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [Chelsea and England attacker his sister].

Kelly: Talk to me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, what was it called, and your memories?

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

Kelly: And you weren't a backline player at first, correct? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

James: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left wing, right wing, and later to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as much but one day it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

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

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

The host: Identify a turning point in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is the hardest and that is probably what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, of course. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? It was miles away from all you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so well?

James: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and family and had to grow up quickly. Playing on a consistent basis helped significantly.

Kelly: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's almost old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for many years. He always tried to help me from the minute he joined and still does, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

Kelly: In what way would he assist you?

James: It was little messages away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I saw alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

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

Reece: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions Chelsea]. It's always good to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to return and replay a single game in your career, what would you choose?

Reece: If the outcome is going to be the identical - I'd select the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Other than victory, what was so special about the occasion