Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents a new series in which leading personalities from sports and show business participate with host Kelly Somers for frank and detailed discussions about football.

We'll explore mindset and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. The Football Interview uncovers the person beyond the athlete.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

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

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

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

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

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

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

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

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to answer because it represented a big part of your early years and development?

Reece: Not particularly, just because my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, going to watch my brother play. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

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

The athlete: So we were three children during childhood. We were all football mad, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Since I read that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the drills started young. Fortunately, they paid off for me and my sister [the club and England attacker his sister].

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

Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was the local team in the area. I think I was there for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

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

Reece: I began as a striker, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left side, right side, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

Kelly: You said you started as a forward - who served as your role model?

James: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he was the player I looked up to.

Kelly: Identify a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

The defender: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is the hardest and this represents probably what many athletes making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're referring to Wigan, of course. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - why did it work so well?

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

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

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is almost old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he joined and still does, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

James: It was little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I saw alternatively and attempt and paint a different picture.

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

Reece: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team did well in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It is always good to encounter him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and experience again a single game in your professional history, what would you choose?

James: Assuming the result is going to be the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Other than winning, what was so special about that night