Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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

We'll explore mental approach and drive, discussing defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. This series uncovers the person beyond the player.

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

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, scoring on his first appearance in a comprehensive win 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 appointed team skipper 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 talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: identity, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

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

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

James: Not exactly, I began with, like, flavored coffees and stuff.

Kelly: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What significance does soccer hold to you?

The defender: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to respond to because it was such a big part of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: No, just because my memory is quite poor. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my brother play. He's two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: Well there was three children growing up. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

The presenter: Can you recall many of those training periods? Because I read that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I recall - the training started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and England attacker his sister].

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

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was the local team in the area. I think I played for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

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

Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left wing, right side, and later to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as much but eventually it just clicked and I've been a right-back since.

The interviewer: You said you started as a forward - who served as your role model?

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

The host: Can you think of a turning point in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the professional you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is the hardest and that is probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, of course. What made was Wigan the right club for you at the time? It was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - why did it work so effectively?

James: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my companions and family and had to grow up fast. Participating on a regular schedule helped significantly.

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

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's nearly old enough to be my father and has played at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he joined and continues to, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he help you?

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

Kelly: It must have been nice to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team did well in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: If you could return and replay one match in your professional history, what would you choose?

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

The host: Besides victory, what was so special about that night