Style Obsession, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program where leading personalities from athletics and show business join presenter Kelly Somers for candid and detailed dialogues about football.

We'll explore mindset and motivation, covering defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. This series reveals the person behind the player.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

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

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

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

Kelly Somers: First question: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure many will recognize that area. My beverage is a flat white.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

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

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

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

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

Reece: No, just because my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my brother play. He is 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 dad was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

Reece: Well we were three children growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Because I learned that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yeah, I remember - the drills began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [Chelsea and national team forward his sister].

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

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was the local team in the area. I believe I was there for about twelve months. It was from there that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at first, correct? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left wing, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

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

Kelly: You said you started as an attacker - who was your idol?

James: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he represented the athlete I looked up to.

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

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

Kelly: You're talking about the club, naturally. Why was Wigan the right club for you at that period? It was distant from everything you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to grow up quickly. Participating on a consistent basis helped a lot.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is almost old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he arrived and still does, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

James: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been nice to see him this summer [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It's consistently positive to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to go back and experience again one match in your career, which would you pick?

Reece: If the outcome is remains the same - it would be the Champions League [final].

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