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

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This Sports Conversation represents a new series in which leading personalities from sports and entertainment join host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive dialogues about football.

We'll explore mindset and motivation, covering defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the person beyond the athlete.

Reece James began training with Chelsea at six years old and - having progressed through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, scoring on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

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

James sat down with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will recognize that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: No, it started with, like, flavored coffees and stuff.

The presenter: Let's start by discussing soccer. What significance does soccer hold to you?

Reece: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I just loved playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?

James: Not particularly, just because my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, going to watch my brother play. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, correct, because your dad was deeply engaged? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.

Reece: So there was three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

Kelly: Can you recall many of those training periods? Because I learned that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I recall - the training started young. Thankfully, they paid off for me and my sibling [Chelsea and national team attacker his sister].

Kelly: Tell me about your first ever team that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I was there for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

Kelly: And you weren't a backline player at initially, correct? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left wing, right side, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You said you started as an attacker - who served as your idol?

James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and senior level is the hardest and that is probably what most players making the jump find difficult.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, of course. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? The location was distant from all you knew in London - why did it work so effectively?

James: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which helps. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my companions and family and had to mature fast. Participating on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is nearly old enough to be my father and has competed at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to help 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: These were little messages off the pitch. During matches, he occasionally see things that I saw alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his team did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions Chelsea]. It is always good to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to go back and experience again one match in your career, which would you pick?

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

The host: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about that night