Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

• Published
  Less than an hour ago

This Sports Conversation represents a new series where prominent figures from athletics and show business join presenter Kelly Somers for frank and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mindset and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the person beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender started training with Chelsea at six years old and - having progressed through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

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

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include making his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

However, 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, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: First question: identity, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will know that location. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

James: Not exactly, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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 education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a big part of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: No, just because my memory is quite poor. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, going to watch my brother play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was big in your family, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.

The athlete: Well there was three children growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those sessions? Since I learned that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I recall - the training began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward Lauren James].

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

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. 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, correct? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...

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

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as an attacker - who was your idol?

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

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

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

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, of course. What made was Wigan the right club for you at that period? It was distant from all you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so effectively?

James: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and relatives and had to mature fast. Participating on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's almost old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he arrived and continues to, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

James: It was little messages off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations that I perceived differently and attempt and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly nice to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It's consistently positive to see him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and experience again one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

James: Assuming the result is going to be the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

The host: Other than victory, what was so special about the occasion