Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program where prominent figures from athletics and show business participate with presenter the interviewer for candid and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and motivation, covering defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. This series reveals the person beyond the athlete.

Reece James began training with the London club at six years old and - having progressed through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.

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

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include making his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.

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

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

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

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

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 education. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

Kelly: Your first recollection of participating? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?

James: No, simply due to my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, going to watch my brother play. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was big in your family, wasn't it, because your father was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: So we were three children during childhood. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

The presenter: Do you remember many of those sessions? Because I read that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yeah, I recall - the training began early. Fortunately, they paid off for me and my sister [the club and England forward Lauren James].

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

The defender: I don't remember much, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I played for about twelve months. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a defender at first, correct? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

James: I began as a forward, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at defensive role, and I disliked it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the football as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

Kelly: You mentioned you started as an attacker - who served as your idol?

James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he was the player I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has influenced your development and the professional you have become?

The defender: I would probably say going on loan. Transitioning between youth and senior level is most challenging and this represents likely what most players making the jump find challenging.

The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so well?

James: The primary factor is that I featured week in week out, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to grow up quickly. Participating on a consistent basis helped significantly.

The interviewer: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your career?

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he arrived and continues to, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

James: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes observe situations that I perceived alternatively and attempt and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It must have been nice to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was great to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club did well in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

Kelly: If you could go back and replay a single game in your professional history, what would you choose?

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

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