Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program in which leading personalities from sports and entertainment join presenter Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive discussions about football.

The program examines mindset and drive, covering defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. This series uncovers the person behind the player.

The Chelsea defender started training with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now club captain.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over the past four seasons.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

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

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will recognize that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

The host: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

Reece: No, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

Kelly: Let's start by talking football. What does football mean to you?

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of playing? Is this difficult to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, going to watch my brother compete. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was big in your household, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: So we were three children during childhood. We were all football mad, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

The presenter: Do you remember many of those training periods? Since I read that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the drills began early. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and England attacker Lauren James].

The interviewer: Tell me about your initial club that you played for as a child, what was it called, and what can you remember?

Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I was there for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a defender at first, were you? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but one day it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

Kelly: You said you started as a forward - who was your idol?

James: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he was the player I admired.

The host: Identify a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and senior level is most challenging and that is probably what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, naturally. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at that period? The location was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so well?

James: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which helps. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and family and had to grow up quickly. Participating on a consistent basis helped a lot.

The interviewer: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your career?

Reece: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at elite standard for many years. He always tried to assist me from the minute he arrived and continues to, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I saw alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.

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

Reece: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to the champions Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: If you could go back and experience again one match in your career, what would you choose?

James: 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 the occasion