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

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program where prominent figures from athletics and show business join presenter Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive discussions about football.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the individual beyond the player.

Reece James started practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed 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 comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, winning 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 affecting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: identity, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that area. My beverage is a flat white.

The host: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

Reece: No, it started with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to respond to because it represented a significant aspect of your early years and development?

James: No, just because my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, correct, because your dad was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, right? Share with me a little about that.

The athlete: So we were three children during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those training periods? Since I learned that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I remember - the drills started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [the club and national team forward his sister].

Kelly: Talk to me about your first ever team that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?

Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was the local team in the area. I think I played for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at first, correct? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

James: I began as a striker, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left side, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as much but eventually everything fell into place and I became a defender since.

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

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the athlete I looked up to.

Kelly: Identify a turning point in your career - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is most challenging and this represents likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, of course. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at that period? It was distant from all you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which helps. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and family and had to mature fast. Playing on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

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

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at the highest level for many years. He always tried to assist me from the minute he joined and continues to, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: In what way would he help you?

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

Kelly: It was undoubtedly nice to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?

Reece: It was great to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It's always good to encounter him.

The interviewer: If you could return and experience again one match in your career, what would you choose?

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

Kelly: Other than victory, what made it exceptional about the occasion