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

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This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program in which prominent figures from sports and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for candid and detailed dialogues about football.

The program examines mindset and drive, covering defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the individual beyond the athlete.

Reece James began training with the London club 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 Chelsea supporters in style, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.

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

However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries impacting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

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

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect more people will recognize that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to answer because it was such a big part of your childhood and development?

James: No, just because my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, going to watch my brother play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, correct, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

Reece: Well we were three children during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

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

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

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

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was the local team in Kew. I believe I played for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

The host: And you weren't a defender at initially, were you? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...

James: I began as a striker, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left wing, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I became a defender since.

The interviewer: You said you began as an attacker - who was your role model?

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

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

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between academy and senior level is most challenging and this represents probably what most players transitioning upwards find challenging.

The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, of course. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? The location was miles away from everything you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The first thing is that I played consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my companions and relatives and had to mature fast. Playing on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

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

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is nearly old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for many years. He always tried to help 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 help you?

Reece: It was little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived differently and attempt and paint a different picture.

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

The defender: It was great to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It's always good to see him.

The interviewer: If you could return and replay one match in your career, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is going to be the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Besides winning, what was so special about the occasion