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

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This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program where prominent figures from sports and entertainment join presenter Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive dialogues about football.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. This series uncovers the person beyond the athlete.

Reece James began training with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include making his international bow against Wales in 2020, claiming the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over recent years.

James sat down with the interviewer to talk about his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

The interviewer: First question: name, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect more people will recognize that location. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

James: Not exactly, it started with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.

Kelly: Your first recollection of playing? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: No, just because my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, going to watch my sibling compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

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

The presenter: Can you recall many of those training periods? Because I learned that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

Reece: Yeah, I remember - the training began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England attacker Lauren James].

Kelly: Tell me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, its name, and your memories?

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe 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 role evolution and how that changed...

Reece: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left side, right wing, and later to central positions, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I've been a right-back since.

The interviewer: You said you started as a forward - who served as your role model?

Reece: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he was the athlete I admired.

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

The defender: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is most challenging and this represents probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? The location was distant from all you knew in London - why did it work so well?

James: The primary factor is that I featured 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 regular schedule assisted a lot.

The interviewer: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your career?

Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has played at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he arrived and still does, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: In what way would he help 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.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly nice to see him recently [during the tournament]?

The defender: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's always good to see him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and replay one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

Reece: If the outcome is remains the identical - it would be the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about the occasion