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

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This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program in which leading personalities from sports and entertainment join presenter the interviewer for candid and detailed discussions about football.

The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. The Football Interview uncovers the person behind the player.

The Chelsea defender began training with the London club 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 style, netting on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over the past four seasons.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that location. My coffee is a flat white.

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

Reece: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved the sport.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

James: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He's a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

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

Kelly: Do you remember many of those training periods? Since I learned that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yeah, I remember - the drills started young. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sister [the club and national team forward Lauren James].

Kelly: Talk to me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, its name, and your memories?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. That was the local team in Kew. I think I was there for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a backline player at initially, were you? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...

James: I started off as a forward, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and eventually to central positions, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as much but one day everything fell into place and I became a right-back since.

The interviewer: You said you started as an attacker - who served as your role model?

James: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter growing up and he was the player I looked up to.

Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between youth and senior level is the hardest and that is probably what most players transitioning upwards find challenging.

Kelly: You're referring to Wigan, of course. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at that period? The location was distant from everything you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so well?

James: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and relatives and had to grow up quickly. Participating on a consistent basis assisted significantly.

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

Reece: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's almost old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he arrived and still does, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

James: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I saw alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him recently [during the tournament]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It's always good to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to go back and replay one match in your career, which would you pick?

James: If the outcome is remains the identical - it would be the European Cup decider.

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