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

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program where leading personalities from sports and show business join presenter the interviewer for frank and detailed dialogues about football.

The program examines mindset and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the person beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, scoring on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

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

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to talk about his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

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

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that area. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

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

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

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

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this tough to respond to because it was such a big part of your early years and growing up?

Reece: No, just because my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, going to watch my sibling compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

Reece: Well there was three of us growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Because I learned that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I remember - the drills started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [the club and national team forward Lauren James].

Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a child, its name, and what can you remember?

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think I played for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

The host: And you weren't a backline player at initially, were you? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

Reece: I began as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left side, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at that period.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as much but one day it just clicked and I've been a right-back since.

Kelly: You said you started as an attacker - who was your idol?

James: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the player I looked up to.

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

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is most challenging and this represents probably what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

Kelly: You're talking about the club, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at that period? It was miles away from everything you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so well?

James: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and family and had to mature quickly. Participating on a consistent basis helped a lot.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your career?

Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has played at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he arrived and continues to, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

James: These were little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw differently and try and paint a different picture.

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

The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

Kelly: Were you able to return and experience again a single game in your career, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is remains the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].

The host: Besides victory, what was so special about that night