Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program where leading personalities from athletics and show business join host the interviewer for frank and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the individual behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with the London club at six years old and - having progressed through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.

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

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

James sat down with Kelly Somers to talk about his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: First question: name, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect many will know that area. My coffee is a flat white.

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, like, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

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

Reece: Essentially, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved the sport.

Kelly: Your first recollection of participating? Is this tough to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and development?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, going to watch my sibling compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.

The athlete: Well we were three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

The presenter: Can you recall many of those training periods? Since I read that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I recall - the drills started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and England attacker Lauren James].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?

The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was the local team in Kew. I believe I played for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.

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

Reece: I began as a forward, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left side, right side, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as much but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

Kelly: You said you began as an attacker - who served as your idol?

James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the player I admired.

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

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is the hardest and this represents likely what most players making the jump find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? The location was distant from everything you were familiar with in London - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired valuable exposure - I moved away from my companions and relatives and had to grow up quickly. Participating on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at the highest level for so long. He always tried to assist me from the minute he arrived and continues to, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: It was little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived differently and attempt and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to meet him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions Chelsea]. It's always good to see him.

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

Reece: If the outcome is going to be the identical - it would be the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Other than victory, what was so special about that night