Style Obsession, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program where leading personalities from sports and show business join presenter Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. This series reveals the individual behind the player.

The Chelsea defender started training with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, netting on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements to date include making his England debut against Wales in 2020, claiming the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

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

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

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

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will know that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

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

The presenter: Let's start by talking football. What does football mean to you?

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your early years and development?

James: No, just because my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, attending matches of my sibling compete. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a little about that.

Reece: Well we were three of us growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

The presenter: Do you remember many of those training periods? Since I learned that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I recall - the training started young. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sister [the club and national team attacker his sister].

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

The defender: I don't remember much, to be honest. 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.

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

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

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I became a defender since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as a forward - who was your idol?

Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he represented the player I looked up to.

Kelly: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is the hardest and that is probably what most players making the jump find difficult.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, naturally. 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?

James: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and family and had to mature fast. Participating on a regular schedule helped significantly.

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

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He is nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has played at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he joined and still does, even now he is departed [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: In what way would he help you?

Reece: These were little messages away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I perceived alternatively and attempt and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him this summer [during the tournament]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm happy 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 return and replay one match in your career, what would you choose?

Reece: If the outcome is going to be the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].

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