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

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  47 minutes ago

This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program where leading personalities from athletics and show business join host Kelly Somers for candid and comprehensive dialogues about football.

We'll explore mindset and motivation, covering defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series uncovers the individual beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender started training with Chelsea at six years old and - having progressed through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, scoring on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries affecting him over the past four seasons.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: First question: name, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

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

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in education. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

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

Reece: Not particularly, just because my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, going to watch my brother play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: So there was three of us during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

The presenter: Can you recall many of those sessions? Since I read that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I recall - the drills started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward his sister].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a child, its name, and what can you remember?

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I believe I was there for about twelve months. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

The host: 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 eventually moved to the wing, left side, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I became a right-back since.

The interviewer: You said you began as a forward - who was your idol?

Reece: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he represented the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is most challenging and this represents likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, of course. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? The location was distant from everything you were familiar with in London - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and relatives and had to mature fast. Playing on a regular schedule helped a lot.

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

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is almost old enough to be my father and has played at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he joined and continues to, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he help you?

James: These were little messages away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes observe situations that I perceived alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

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

The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his team did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to return and replay one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

James: Assuming the result is remains the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about that night