Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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  47 minutes ago

This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program in which leading personalities from sports and show business participate with host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. This series uncovers the person behind the athlete.

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 team leader.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include making his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that location. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

James: No, it started with, like, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

The defender: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in education. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

Kelly: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: No, just because my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

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

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Because I read that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

Reece: Yeah, I remember - the training started young. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sister [Chelsea and national team attacker his sister].

Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you played for as a child, what was it called, and your memories?

The defender: I don't remember much, to be honest. That was the local team in the area. I think I was there for about twelve months. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a defender at first, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...

James: I began as a forward, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left side, right side, and later to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

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

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

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he was the player I admired.

The host: Can you think of a turning point in your career - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is the hardest and this represents likely what many athletes making the jump find difficult.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, of course. Why was Wigan the right club for you at the time? The location was miles away from everything you knew in London - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and relatives and was forced to grow up fast. Participating on a consistent basis helped a lot.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he joined and continues to, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

James: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally see things that I perceived alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been pleasant to meet him recently [during the tournament]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to the champions Chelsea]. It's always good to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to go back and experience again one match in your professional history, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is going to be the same - I'd select the European Cup decider.

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