Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program in which prominent figures from athletics and show business participate with presenter the interviewer for frank and detailed dialogues about football.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, covering defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. This series uncovers the individual behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began practicing with Chelsea 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 debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

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

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

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

Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that location. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and stuff.

Kelly: Let's start by talking football. What significance does soccer hold to you?

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.

Kelly: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a big part of your childhood and growing up?

James: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: So there was three children during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

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

James: Yes, I recall - the drills began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward his sister].

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, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think I played for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a defender at initially, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and its development...

James: I started off as a striker, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and later to central positions, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

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

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

Kelly: Identify a turning point in your career - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

The defender: I would probably say going on loan. Transitioning between youth and first-team football is most challenging and this represents probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, naturally. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at that period? The location was miles away from everything you knew in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?

James: The first thing is that I featured week in week out, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and family and had to grow up fast. Participating on a regular schedule helped a lot.

The interviewer: Who has had the biggest impact on your professional journey?

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is almost sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for so long. He always tried to help me from the minute he arrived and continues to, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

James: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

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

Reece: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It's always good to encounter him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and experience again one match in your career, which would you pick?

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

Kelly: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about the occasion