Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series where prominent figures from sports and show business participate with host Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the individual behind the player.

Reece James started practicing with the London club at six years old and - having progressed through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

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

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

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

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: identity, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

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

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

James: Not exactly, I began with, like, flavored coffees and stuff.

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

The defender: I mean, from a little kid, it's kind of my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.

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

James: No, simply due to my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my sibling play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was big in your family, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: Well we were three of us during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Since I read that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yeah, I recall - the drills started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England attacker Lauren James].

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

The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think I was there for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

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

James: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left wing, right wing, and later to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as much but one day it just clicked and I've been a right-back since.

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

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

The host: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is most challenging and this represents likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, of course. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at that period? It was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - why did it work so well?

James: The first thing is that I featured week in week out, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to mature fast. Playing on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

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

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He is almost sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for so long. He always tried to assist me from the minute he joined and continues to, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: These were little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I perceived differently and try and paint a different picture.

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

The defender: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club did well in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It's always good to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to return and replay a single game in your professional history, what would you choose?

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

Kelly: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about the occasion