Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

• Published
  47 minutes ago

This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series in which prominent figures from sports and entertainment participate with presenter Kelly Somers for candid and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, covering defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the person beyond the player.

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

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include making his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries impacting him over the past four seasons.

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

The interviewer: First question: name, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure many will know that location. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a big part of your childhood and development?

James: Not particularly, just because my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, unsure, attending matches of my sibling play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was big in your family, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, right? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: So there was three children during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Since I read that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I recall - the drills started young. Fortunately, they paid off for me and my sibling [the club and England attacker Lauren James].

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

Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I believe I played for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

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

Reece: I began as a striker, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left side, right side, and later to central positions, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as much but one day it just clicked and I've been a right-back since.

The interviewer: You said you began as a forward - who served as your idol?

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

The host: Identify a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the player you have become?

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between youth and first-team football is most challenging and that is likely what many athletes making the jump find challenging.

The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at the time? The location was distant from everything you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I moved away from my companions and relatives and was forced to grow up quickly. Playing on a regular schedule assisted significantly.

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

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at elite standard for many years. He always tried to assist me from the moment he arrived and continues to, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: In what way would he assist you?

James: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I saw differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It must have been pleasant to see him this summer [during the tournament]?

Reece: It was great to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's always good to encounter him.

Kelly: Were you able to return and replay one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

Reece: If the outcome is remains the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

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