Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series in which leading personalities from sports and entertainment participate with host the interviewer for candid and comprehensive discussions about football.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. This series reveals the individual beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include earning his international bow against Wales in 2020, claiming the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

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

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: name, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that location. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

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

Kelly: We'll begin by talking football. What does football mean to you?

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.

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

Reece: No, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

The athlete: So we were three children during childhood. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

The presenter: Do you remember many of those sessions? Because I learned that as young as the four years old, 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 [Chelsea and national team forward Lauren James].

Kelly: Talk to me about your first ever team that you played for as a child, what was it called, and your memories?

The defender: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think I played for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a backline player at first, were you? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...

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

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as much but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

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

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan during youth and he was the athlete I admired.

The host: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

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

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, of course. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? It was distant from everything you knew in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?

James: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and family and had to mature fast. Playing on a regular schedule helped significantly.

Kelly: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is nearly old enough to be my father and has played at elite standard for so long. He always tried to assist me from the minute he arrived and continues to, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: In what way would he help you?

James: These were small pieces of advice away from games. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been nice to meet him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

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

Reece: Assuming the result is going to be the identical - it would be the European Cup decider.

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