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

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program in which leading personalities from sports and show business participate with host the interviewer for candid and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and drive, discussing defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the person beyond the player.

Reece James began training with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include earning his England debut against Wales in 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.

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

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

Reece: No, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

Kelly: We'll begin by talking football. What significance does soccer hold to you?

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

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

James: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is quite poor. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, going to watch my sibling play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: So there was three children during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally 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 four years old, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I recall - the training started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sister [the club and England forward Lauren James].

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

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I believe I was there for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

The host: You didn't start as a backline player at first, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...

James: I started off as a forward, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left side, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I always wanted to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but one day it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as an attacker - who was your role model?

Reece: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he was the player I admired.

Kelly: 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 going on loan. Transitioning between youth and first-team football is most challenging and that is probably what many athletes making the jump find challenging.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, naturally. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at that period? It was miles away from all you knew in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

James: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and relatives and had to mature fast. Playing on a regular schedule helped significantly.

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

Reece: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's nearly old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for many years. He always tried to help me from the moment he joined and still does, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

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

Reece: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It's always good to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to return and experience again a single game in your career, what would you choose?

James: Assuming the result is going to be the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Other than victory, what made it exceptional about that night