Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents a new series in which prominent figures from sports and entertainment join presenter the interviewer for candid and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and motivation, covering defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the individual beyond the athlete.

Reece James began training with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

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

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include making his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over recent years.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that location. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

James: No, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

The defender: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of all I knew in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I just loved 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?

James: No, simply due to my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, going to watch my sibling play. He's two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: So we were three of us growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

The presenter: Do you remember many of those training periods? Since I learned that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

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

The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?

Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I played for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

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

Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and later to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at the time.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.

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

James: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he was the player I admired.

The host: Identify a turning point in your professional life - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between academy and senior level is the hardest and this represents likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at that period? The location was miles away from all you knew in London - why did it work so well?

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured week in week out, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and relatives and had to grow up quickly. Participating on a regular schedule helped a lot.

Kelly: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's almost old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he arrived and still does, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

James: It was little messages away from games. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I saw alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly nice to meet him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It is consistently positive to see him.

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

Reece: Assuming the result is going to be the same - I'd select the European Cup decider.

The host: Other than winning, what was so special about that night