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 athletics and show business participate with host Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive dialogues about football.

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

The Chelsea defender started training with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include making his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

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

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: identity, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect more people will recognize that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

James: No, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and stuff.

The presenter: We'll begin by talking football. What does football mean to you?

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I just loved playing football.

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

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my brother compete. He is two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, correct, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

The athlete: So there was three of us during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those training periods? Because I read that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I recall - the drills started young. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and national team forward his sister].

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

Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think I played for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

Kelly: And you weren't a defender at first, were you? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I began as a striker, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and later to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as much but eventually everything fell into place and I became a right-back since.

Kelly: You said you began as a forward - who was your role model?

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

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

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Transitioning between youth and first-team football is most challenging and this represents probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, naturally. Why was Wigan the right club for you at that period? It was distant from everything you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

James: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and family and was forced to grow up quickly. Playing on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at elite standard for so long. He always tried to assist me from the minute he arrived and continues to, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he occasionally see things that I perceived alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been nice to meet him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It is always good to see him.

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

Reece: Assuming the result is going to be the same - I'd select the European Cup decider.

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