Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series where prominent figures from athletics and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for frank and detailed dialogues about football.

The program examines mental approach and drive, covering defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the person behind the athlete.

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.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements to date include making his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over the past four seasons.

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

Kelly Somers: First question: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that area. My coffee is a flat white.

The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

The presenter: Let's start by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?

The defender: Essentially, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.

The interviewer: 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?

James: Not particularly, just because my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He's two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

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

The athlete: Well there was three of us during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Because I learned that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

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

The interviewer: Tell me about your first ever team that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and your memories?

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was the local team in Kew. I believe I was there for about twelve months. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a backline player at first, were you? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

Reece: I started off as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left wing, right wing, and later to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I always wanted to play midfield. 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 a forward - who was your idol?

Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he represented the athlete I looked up to.

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

Reece: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is most challenging and that is likely what many athletes making the jump find challenging.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, of course. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? It was miles away from all you knew in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?

James: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to mature quickly. Participating on a regular schedule helped a lot.

The interviewer: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your career?

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is almost old enough to be my dad and has played at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he joined and still does, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: In what way would he help you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I saw differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It must have been pleasant to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: If you could return and replay a single game in your career, which would you pick?

James: If the outcome is remains the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

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