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

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This Sports Conversation represents a new series where prominent figures from athletics and show business participate with presenter Kelly Somers for candid and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mindset and motivation, discussing defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. This series uncovers the person behind the player.

Reece James began practicing with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements to date include making his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries impacting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: 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'm sure more people will know that area. My beverage is a flat white.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

James: No, it started with, like, flavored coffees and stuff.

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

The defender: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of my entire focus in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved the sport.

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

James: No, just because my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, going to watch my sibling compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your family, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: So there was three children during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Since I read that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

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

The interviewer: Talk to me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, what was it called, and your memories?

The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was the local team in Kew. I think I played for about twelve months. It was from there that I was scouted for the professional club.

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

Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left side, right wing, and later to central positions, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the football as much but one day everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.

Kelly: You said you began as a forward - who served as your idol?

James: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he was the athlete I admired.

The host: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and senior level is the hardest and this represents likely what many athletes making the jump find difficult.

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

James: The primary factor is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and family and was forced to mature quickly. Participating on a consistent basis assisted significantly.

Kelly: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?

Reece: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's almost old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he joined and continues to, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

James: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I perceived alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been nice to meet him recently [during the tournament]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his club did well in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and experience again one match in your professional history, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is remains the identical - I'd select the European Cup decider.

The host: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about that night