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

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program in which prominent figures from athletics and show business join host the interviewer for frank and detailed discussions about football.

We'll explore mindset and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series reveals the individual behind the player.

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

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure many will recognize that location. My coffee is a flat white.

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and stuff.

Kelly: We'll begin by talking football. What significance does soccer hold to you?

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to answer because it was such a big part of your childhood and development?

Reece: No, just because my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, 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 big in your family, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a little about that.

Reece: Well there was three of us during childhood. We were all football mad, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

The presenter: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Since I read that starting from the four years old, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I recall - the drills started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England forward his sister].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a youngster, what was it called, and your memories?

Reece: I don't remember much, frankly. That was the local team in the area. I think I played for about twelve months. It was from there that I was scouted for the professional club.

The host: And you weren't a backline player at initially, correct? Explain about your positional journey and how that changed...

James: I began as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to wide positions, left side, right wing, and later to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as much but one day it just clicked and I became a defender since.

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

Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan during youth and he represented the player I looked up to.

The host: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the professional you have become?

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is the hardest and that is likely what many athletes making the jump find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and family and had to grow up quickly. Participating on a consistent basis helped significantly.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [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 help me from the moment he joined and still does, even now he is departed [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

James: It was small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived differently and attempt and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It must have been pleasant to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?

Reece: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his club performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

Kelly: Were you able to go back and replay a single game in your professional history, what would you choose?

Reece: Assuming the result is going to be the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].

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