Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

• Published
  Less than an hour ago

This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program where prominent figures from sports and entertainment participate with host Kelly Somers for candid and detailed dialogues about football.

We'll explore mindset and drive, discussing defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the individual beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender started training with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, 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 named team skipper 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 discuss his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: identity, 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 expect more people will know that area. My beverage is a flat white.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, like, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

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

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

James: Not particularly, just because my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, going to watch my sibling play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was big in your family, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, right? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: So there was three of us during childhood. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those training periods? Because I learned that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I recall - the drills started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [the club and England attacker Lauren James].

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, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I played for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a defender at initially, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left wing, right wing, and later to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.

Kelly: You mentioned you started as a forward - who was your idol?

Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he represented the player I looked up to.

Kelly: 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'd likely identify the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and senior level is most challenging and that is probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, naturally. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at that period? It was distant from all you knew in London - what made it successful so well?

James: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and relatives and had to mature quickly. Participating on a consistent basis helped a lot.

The interviewer: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your professional journey?

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's nearly old enough to be my father and has played at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he arrived and still does, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: In what way would he assist you?

James: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw differently and try and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly nice to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was great to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: If you could return and replay a single game in your professional history, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is remains the identical - it would be the European Cup decider.

The host: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about the occasion