Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents a new series in which leading personalities from athletics and entertainment join host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series reveals the person behind the player.

The Chelsea defender began training with Chelsea at six years old and - having progressed through the youth system and into the first team - is now club captain.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include earning his England debut against Wales in 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

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

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

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

James: No, I began with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

The presenter: We'll begin by discussing soccer. 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 just loved playing football.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this tough to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and development?

James: No, simply due to my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was big in your household, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: Well 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? Since I learned that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he conducted exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yeah, I recall - the training started young. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sister [Chelsea and England forward his sister].

Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you played for as a child, what was it called, and your memories?

The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. It was the local team in Kew. I think I was there for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

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

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

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as much but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

Kelly: You mentioned you started as a forward - who served as your role model?

James: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he was the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

Reece: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is the hardest and that is probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

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

Reece: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and relatives and had to grow up fast. Participating on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

The interviewer: Who has had the greatest influence on your professional journey?

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He is almost old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for many years. He always tried to help me from the minute he arrived and still does, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I saw alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

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

The defender: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team did well in the competition [they were defeated in the semi-finals to the champions Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

Kelly: Were you able to go back and replay one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

James: Assuming the result is remains the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

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