Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series in which prominent figures from sports and entertainment join presenter Kelly Somers for frank and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and drive, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the person beyond the athlete.

Reece James started training with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

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

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include earning his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: identity, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will recognize that area. My beverage is a flat white.

The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, like, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

Kelly: Let's start by talking football. What does football mean to you?

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: No, just because my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, going to watch my brother compete. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.

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

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Because I read that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yes, I recall - the training began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England forward his sister].

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

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. That was the local team in the area. I believe I played for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

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

James: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left side, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as much but eventually it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as a forward - who served as your idol?

James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter growing up and he represented the athlete I looked up to.

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

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Transitioning between academy and senior level is most challenging and this represents likely what most players transitioning upwards find challenging.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, of course. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at that period? The location was distant from all you knew in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and relatives and was forced to grow up fast. Participating on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he arrived and continues to, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I perceived alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It must have been pleasant to see him recently [during the tournament]?

The defender: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: Were you able to go back and replay one match in your professional history, what would you choose?

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

The host: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about that night