Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

• Released
  Less than an hour ago

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

The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series reveals the person behind the athlete.

Reece James began training with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements to date include making his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries affecting him over the past four seasons.

James sat down with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: First question: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that location. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: No, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

Kelly: Let's start 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 the sport.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a big part of your early years and growing up?

James: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, going to watch my sibling play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.

The athlete: So we were three of us during childhood. It was all football mad, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Because I learned that starting from the four years old, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the training began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for me and my sister [the club and England attacker Lauren James].

Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a child, its name, and your memories?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was the local team in the area. I think I was there for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a defender at first, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...

James: I started off as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left wing, right wing, and later to midfield, and then eventually at defensive role, and I disliked it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

Kelly: You mentioned you began as an attacker - who served as your role model?

Reece: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he represented the player I admired.

The host: Identify a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?

Reece: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is most challenging and that is probably what most players making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, of course. What made was Wigan the right club for you at that period? It was distant from all you were familiar with in London - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my companions and relatives and was forced to mature quickly. Playing on a consistent basis helped a lot.

The interviewer: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's almost old enough to be my dad and has played at the highest level for so long. He always tried to help me from the minute he joined and still does, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

Kelly: In what way would he help you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I saw differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

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

The defender: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to go back and experience again a single game in your career, what would you choose?

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

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