Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series where prominent figures from sports and entertainment join host the interviewer for frank and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. This series reveals the individual beyond the athlete.

Reece James started practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include making his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

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

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

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

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will recognize that location. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

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

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

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I just loved playing football.

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

Reece: Not particularly, just because my recollection is quite poor. 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 big in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

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

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Since I read that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I remember - the drills began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [the club and national team attacker his sister].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a child, its name, and what can you remember?

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was the local team in the area. I believe I played for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

The host: And you weren't a defender at initially, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

James: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left side, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as much but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.

The interviewer: You said you began as a forward - who served as your role model?

Reece: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he represented the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the professional you have become?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is most challenging and that is likely what many athletes making the jump find difficult.

Kelly: You're talking about the club, naturally. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? The location was miles away from everything you were familiar with in London - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and relatives and had to grow up fast. Participating on a consistent basis helped significantly.

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

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is almost old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he joined and still does, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: It was little messages off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I saw differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly nice to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his club did well in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It's consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: If you could 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 European Cup decider.

The host: Other than winning, what was so special about that night