Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series in which leading personalities from athletics and show business participate with host Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive discussions about football.

We'll explore mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. This series reveals the person behind the athlete.

Reece James started training with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include making his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

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

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

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

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

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

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

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

The defender: I mean, from a little kid, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I just loved playing football.

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, just because my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, going to watch my sibling play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: Well there was three children during childhood. We were 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? Since I learned that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I recall - the training started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [Chelsea and national team forward Lauren James].

Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you played for as a youngster, its name, and your memories?

The defender: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was the local team in the area. I believe I played for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a backline player at first, were you? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...

Reece: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left wing, right side, and later to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as much but one day it just clicked and I became a right-back since.

Kelly: You mentioned you began as a forward - who was your idol?

Reece: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he was the player I looked up to.

The host: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the professional you have become?

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and senior level is most challenging and this represents probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was distant from all you were familiar with in London - why did it work so well?

James: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and relatives and had to grow up quickly. Playing on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has played at elite standard for so long. He always tried to assist me from the moment he joined and continues to, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I saw alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It must have been nice to meet him recently [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was great to see him again. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It's always good to see him.

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

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

Kelly: Besides winning, what was so special about that night