Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Hamilton
- Released
This Sports Conversation represents a new series where prominent figures from athletics and entertainment join presenter the interviewer for frank and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.
The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview uncovers the person beyond the player.
The Chelsea defender began practicing with the London club at the age of six and - having progressed through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.
The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.
Now 25, James' career highlights to date include earning his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.
Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over the past four seasons.
The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.
The defender discusses the veteran's influence on his career
Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?
The athlete: I am Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that location. My coffee is a specific coffee type.
Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?
Reece: Not exactly, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.
The presenter: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?
Reece: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.
Kelly: Your first recollection of participating? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a big part of your childhood and development?
Reece: No, simply due to my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, attending matches of my brother compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.
The host: It was significant in your household, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a little about that.
Reece: So there was three children during childhood. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.
Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Since I learned that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.
James: Yeah, I remember - the training started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [Chelsea and England forward his sister].
Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and your memories?
Reece: I don't remember much, frankly. That was the local team in Kew. I think I played for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me 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...
Reece: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right side, and later to central positions, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.
Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?
The athlete: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I became a defender since.
Reece James won the Champions League in 2021 when his team defeated Manchester City by one goal in the final in Porto
The interviewer: You mentioned you began as an attacker - who was your role model?
Reece: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan during youth and he represented the athlete I admired.
The host: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - an experience 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 that is probably what most players transitioning upwards find challenging.
Kelly: You're referring to Wigan, of course. What made was Wigan the right club for you at the time? The location was distant from all you knew in the capital - why did it work so well?
Reece: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which helps. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to grow up fast. Participating on a consistent basis helped significantly.
The interviewer: Who has had the biggest impact on your professional journey?
The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is almost old enough to be my father and has competed at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he arrived and still does, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in that year].
Kelly: In what way would he help you?
James: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I saw differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.
The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him this summer [during the tournament]?
The defender: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to the champions Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to see him.
Kelly: Were you able to go back and replay a single game in your career, which would you pick?
Reece: If the outcome is going to be the identical - it would be the European Cup decider.
Kelly: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about the occasion
