Style Obsession, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents a new series where prominent figures from sports and entertainment participate with presenter Kelly Somers for candid and detailed dialogues about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and drive, discussing defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the individual behind the athlete.

Reece James started training with the London club at the age of six and - having progressed through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include earning his England debut against the Welsh team in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries impacting him over the past four seasons.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will recognize that location. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

James: No, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

Kelly: Let's start 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 the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this tough to answer because it represented a big part of your early years and development?

James: No, just because my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

The athlete: Well there was three of us during childhood. It was all football mad, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Because I learned that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

James: Yes, I remember - the training started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sister [Chelsea and England forward his sister].

Kelly: Talk to me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, its name, and your memories?

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I believe I played for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: And you weren't a defender at initially, correct? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...

Reece: I started off as a striker, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left side, right wing, and later to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I became a right-back since.

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

James: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he represented the player 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. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is the hardest and this represents likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, of course. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? It was miles away from everything you knew in London - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and family and had to mature fast. Playing on a consistent basis assisted significantly.

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

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for so long. He always tried to assist me from the minute he arrived and continues to, even now he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I saw differently and try and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly nice to see him this summer [during the tournament]?

The defender: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: If you could go back and replay one match in your career, what would you choose?

James: Assuming the result is going to be the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

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