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

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This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program in which leading personalities from athletics and show business join host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual behind the player.

Reece James began training with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

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

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include making his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being named club captain 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 discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: identity, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

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

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: No, I began with, like, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

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

Reece: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.

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

James: No, just because my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, attending matches of my brother compete. He is two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: Well we were three of us during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

The presenter: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Because I read that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I recall - the drills started young. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sibling [the club and England forward Lauren James].

The interviewer: Tell me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?

The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. It was the local team in the area. I believe I played for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

Kelly: And you weren't a defender at first, correct? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

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

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as much but eventually it just clicked and I became a right-back since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you began as an attacker - who served as your role model?

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he represented the athlete I admired.

The host: Can you think of a turning point in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

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

Kelly: You're referring to Wigan, of course. Why was Wigan the right club for you at that period? It was miles away from all you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so well?

James: The primary factor is that I featured week in week out, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and relatives and was forced to grow up fast. Playing on a consistent basis helped a lot.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your career?

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is nearly old enough to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he arrived and continues to, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he help you?

James: These were small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I saw differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

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

Reece: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team did well in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It's always good to see him.

Kelly: If you could go back and experience again one match in your career, what would you choose?

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

Kelly: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about that night