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

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This Sports Conversation represents a new series where leading personalities from sports and entertainment participate with presenter the interviewer for candid and detailed discussions about football.

The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual behind the player.

The Chelsea defender began training with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include making his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries impacting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: First question: name, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure many will know that location. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

James: Not exactly, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

The presenter: We'll begin by talking football. What does football mean to you?

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

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

Reece: No, simply due to my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, attending matches of my brother compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your father was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

Reece: So we were three of us during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

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

James: Yes, I recall - the training began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sister [the club and England forward his sister].

Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a child, what was it called, and your memories?

The defender: I don't remember much, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I played for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

Kelly: You didn't start as a backline player at initially, correct? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

James: I started off as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left wing, right wing, and later to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the football as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

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

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he represented the player I admired.

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

Reece: I would probably say 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 referring to the club, of course. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at that period? It was miles away from all you knew in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

James: The first thing is that I played consistently, which helps. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my companions and relatives and was forced to mature quickly. Participating on a consistent basis helped a lot.

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

Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's almost old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he arrived and still does, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: In what way would he help you?

James: It was little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally see things that I saw differently and try and paint a different picture.

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

The defender: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to the champions Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: Were you able to go back and replay one match in your career, which would you pick?

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

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