Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

• Published
  47 minutes ago

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

The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began training with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.

James sat down 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: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that area. My coffee is a flat white.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

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

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

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.

Kelly: Your first recollection of participating? Is this tough to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?

Reece: Not particularly, just because my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, going to watch my sibling play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.

The athlete: So there was three children during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those training periods? Since I read that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

James: Yes, I remember - the drills started young. Thankfully, they paid off for me and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward Lauren James].

The interviewer: Tell me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, its name, and your memories?

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I believe I was there for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for the professional club.

The host: You didn't start as a backline player at initially, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and its development...

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 that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as much but one day it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

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

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

Kelly: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have become?

Reece: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and senior level is most challenging and that is likely what most players making the jump find difficult.

Kelly: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at that period? It was miles away from all you knew in the capital - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and relatives and had to mature fast. Playing on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for so long. He always tried to help me from the minute he arrived and continues to, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

James: It was little messages away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I perceived differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

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

The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his club performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It's always good to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to go back and experience again a single game in your professional history, what would you choose?

Reece: Assuming the result is remains the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].

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