Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series in which prominent figures from athletics and show business join host Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive dialogues about football.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the individual behind the athlete.

Reece James started training with Chelsea 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 impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include making his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

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

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

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

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

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

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

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

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.

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

James: Not particularly, just because my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, going to watch my sibling compete. 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, right? Tell me a little about that.

Reece: So we were three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those sessions? Since I learned that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yeah, I recall - the drills started young. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sibling [the club and England forward Lauren James].

Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, its name, and what can you remember?

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

The host: And you weren't a backline player at first, correct? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

Reece: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as much but one day everything fell into place and I became a defender since.

Kelly: You mentioned 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 player I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between academy and senior level is the hardest and this represents probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.

The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, of course. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? 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 gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and family and was forced to mature fast. Playing on a consistent basis helped a lot.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your professional journey?

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he arrived and continues to, even now he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

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

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

The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and experience again a single game in your career, what would you choose?

James: Assuming the result is going to be the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].

The host: Besides victory, what was so special about the occasion