Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series where leading personalities from athletics and show business participate with presenter Kelly Somers for candid and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and drive, discussing defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. This series uncovers the person behind the athlete.

Reece James started practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.

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

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the Champions League with his club 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.

James sat down with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: First question: identity, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up 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?

James: Not exactly, I began with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

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

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my brother play. He is two years older 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 soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

The athlete: So there was three of us growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Because I read that starting from the four years old, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

James: Yes, I remember - the training began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [Chelsea and national team forward Lauren James].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a child, what was it called, and your memories?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. That was the local team in the area. I believe I played for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

Kelly: And you weren't a defender at initially, correct? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

James: I began as a striker, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left wing, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You said you began as an attacker - who was your idol?

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

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the professional you have become?

Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between youth and senior level is most challenging and that is probably what many athletes making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? It was distant from all you knew in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?

James: The first thing is that I featured week in week out, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and family and was forced to grow up quickly. Playing on a consistent basis assisted significantly.

Kelly: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for so long. He always tried to assist me from the moment he joined and still does, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].

Kelly: In what way would he help you?

Reece: It was little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally see things that I saw alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his team did well in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: Were you able to return and experience again a single game in your career, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is going to be the same - I'd select the European Cup decider.

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