Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

• Released
  47 minutes ago

This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series where leading personalities from sports and entertainment join host the interviewer for frank and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. This series reveals the individual behind the player.

Reece James began training 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 debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

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

Kelly Somers: First question: name, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

The host: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

James: Not exactly, I began with, like, flavored coffees and stuff.

Kelly: We'll begin by talking football. What does football mean to you?

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved the sport.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

James: No, just because my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, unsure, attending matches of my sibling play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: So we were three children growing up. It was all football mad, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Can you recall many of those training periods? Since I learned that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yeah, I remember - the drills began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sister [Chelsea and England attacker his sister].

Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a child, what was it called, and what can you remember?

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was the local team in the area. I believe I played for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for the professional club.

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

James: I began as a forward, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left side, right side, and later to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at that period.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as frequently but one day it just clicked and I became a right-back since.

The interviewer: You said you started as a forward - who was your idol?

James: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter growing up and he represented the athlete I looked up to.

The host: Identify a turning point in your career - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

The defender: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is the hardest and that is probably what most players transitioning upwards find challenging.

Kelly: You're talking about the club, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at the time? The location was miles away from everything you knew in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

James: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and relatives and was forced to grow up fast. Playing on a consistent basis assisted significantly.

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

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is almost old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for so long. He always tried to help me from the minute he arrived and still does, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: It was little messages off the pitch. During matches, he occasionally see things that I perceived differently and try and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It must have been pleasant to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's always good to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to return and replay a single game in your professional history, what would you choose?

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

The host: Other than victory, what was so special about that night