Style Obsession, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton
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This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program in which prominent figures from athletics and show business join presenter the interviewer for frank and comprehensive discussions about football.
We'll explore mental approach and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual beyond the athlete.
Reece James started practicing with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.
James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, netting on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.
Now 25, his professional achievements so far include earning his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.
Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.
The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.
'He's nearly old enough to be my dad' - Reece James reveals the veteran's influence on his professional journey
Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, your origins, and your preferred coffee?
Reece James: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will recognize that location. My beverage is a flat white.
Kelly: 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: I mean, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.
Kelly: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to answer because it represented a big part of your early years and development?
James: No, just because my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my brother compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.
Kelly: It was big in your family, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.
Reece: Well we were three children during childhood. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.
Kelly: Do you remember many of those sessions? Because I read that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.
James: Yes, I remember - the training started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and national team forward Lauren James].
The interviewer: Tell me about your initial club that you represented as a child, what was it called, and what can you remember?
The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think I was there for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.
Kelly: And you weren't a backline player at initially, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...
Reece: I began as a striker, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left side, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.
Kelly: Why did you hate it?
The athlete: Because I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as much but one day it just clicked and I became a defender since.
The defender claimed the prestigious trophy in that year when his team defeated Man City 1-0 in the final in the Portuguese city
The interviewer: You said you began as a forward - who was your idol?
James: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan during youth and he represented the player I admired.
Kelly: Identify a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?
Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Transitioning between youth and first-team football is the hardest and that is likely what most players transitioning upwards find challenging.
Kelly: You're referring to Wigan, of course. Why was Wigan the right club for you at that period? It was miles away from all you knew in London - why did it work so well?
James: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and relatives and was forced to mature quickly. Playing on a regular schedule assisted a lot.
The interviewer: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your professional journey?
The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at elite standard for many years. He always tried to help me from the minute he joined 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 off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived differently and try and paint a different picture.
The presenter: It must have been nice to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?
The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is always good to see him.
The interviewer: Were you able to go back and experience again a single game in your professional history, which would you pick?
Reece: Assuming the result is going to be the same - I'd select the European Cup decider.
Kelly: Besides winning, what was so special about that night
