Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program in which leading personalities from sports and show business participate with host Kelly Somers for candid and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. This series uncovers the person behind the player.

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 impressive fashion, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include earning his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries impacting him over the past four seasons.

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 Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: First question: name, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

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

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

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

The presenter: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What significance does soccer hold to you?

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to respond to because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, going to watch my sibling play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

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

Reece: So there was three children during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

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

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

The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a child, its name, and your memories?

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I believe I was there for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a backline player at initially, correct? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

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

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as much but one day everything fell into place and I became a right-back since.

Kelly: You mentioned you started as an attacker - who was your role model?

Reece: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the player I admired.

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

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between youth and first-team football is the hardest and that is likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was distant from everything you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so well?

James: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and family and was forced to mature quickly. Playing on a regular schedule helped a lot.

Kelly: Who has had the biggest impact on your professional journey?

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is almost old enough to be my father and has competed at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he joined and continues to, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: How specifically would he assist you?

James: These were small pieces of advice away from games. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I perceived alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.

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

Reece: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his team did well 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 career, which would you pick?

James: Assuming the result is remains the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Other than victory, what made it exceptional about that night