Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program where leading personalities from athletics and entertainment participate with host Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive discussions about football.

The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. This series uncovers the individual beyond the player.

Reece James began practicing with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries affecting him over the past four seasons.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: identity, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

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

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

The defender: I mean, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved the sport.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?

Reece: No, just because my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my brother play. He's two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your family, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: Well there was three children during childhood. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Because I learned that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

Reece: Yeah, I remember - the drills began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [Chelsea and national team forward Lauren James].

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

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was the local team in Kew. I think I was there for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a backline player at first, correct? Explain about your positional journey and how that changed...

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

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as much but eventually it just clicked and I've been a right-back since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as a forward - who served as your role model?

Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan during youth and he was the player I admired.

Kelly: Identify a turning point in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the professional you have become?

Reece: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and senior level is most challenging and that is likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.

Kelly: You're talking about the club, naturally. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? The location was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so effectively?

James: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my companions and relatives and had to grow up quickly. Playing on a regular schedule helped a lot.

Kelly: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at elite standard for many years. He always tried to assist me from the minute he joined and still does, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: In what way would he help you?

Reece: These were little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I saw differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him this summer [during the tournament]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is always good to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to return and experience again a single game in your professional history, which would you pick?

Reece: Assuming the result is going to be the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].

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