Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents a new series in which leading personalities from athletics and show business participate with presenter Kelly Somers for candid and detailed discussions about football.

The program examines mindset and drive, discussing defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. This series reveals the individual beyond the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

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

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements to date include earning his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over the past four seasons.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

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

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

Reece: No, it started with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

The presenter: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What significance does soccer hold to you?

The defender: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?

Reece: No, simply due to my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, unsure, going to watch my sibling play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

The athlete: Well there was three children growing up. It was all football mad, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? 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 [the club and England forward his sister].

The interviewer: Tell me about your initial club that you played for as a child, its name, and what can you remember?

The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I was there for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: And you weren't a backline player at initially, were you? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

James: I started off as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to wide positions, left side, right wing, and later to midfield, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as much but eventually it just clicked and I became a defender since.

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

James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter growing up and he was the player I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Transitioning between youth and senior level is most challenging and that is probably what most players transitioning upwards find challenging.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, of course. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at that period? It was miles away from everything you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so well?

James: The first thing is that I played consistently, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to mature fast. Participating on a regular schedule helped a lot.

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

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for many years. He always tried to help me from the moment he arrived and continues to, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: It was little messages away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I saw differently and attempt and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It must have been pleasant to meet him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

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

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

Reece: If the outcome is remains the same - it would be the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Besides victory, what was so special about the occasion