Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton
- Published
This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program in which leading personalities from athletics and show business participate with host Kelly Somers for frank and detailed dialogues about football.
The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series reveals the individual behind the athlete.
The Chelsea defender started practicing with the London club at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.
James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.
Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.
However, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.
The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.
The defender discusses the veteran's influence on his professional journey
Kelly Somers: First question: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?
The athlete: I am Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I expect more people will recognize that area. My coffee is a flat white.
Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?
James: Not exactly, it started with, like, flavored coffees and similar drinks.
Kelly: Let's start by talking football. What significance does soccer hold to you?
The defender: I mean, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.
The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a big part of your childhood and development?
Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother play. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.
The host: It was big in your family, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a bit about that.
The athlete: Well we were three of us during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.
Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Because I learned that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he conducted exercises with you in the yard.
Reece: Yes, I recall - the training began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [Chelsea and England forward his sister].
The interviewer: Talk to me about your first ever team that you played for as a child, what was it called, and your memories?
The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. That was the local team in Kew. I think I was there for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.
The host: And you weren't a defender at first, were you? Explain about your positional journey and how that changed...
James: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and eventually to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.
The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?
The athlete: Since I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I became a defender since.
Reece James won the Champions League in 2021 when his team defeated Man City by one goal in the championship match in Porto
Kelly: You mentioned you began as an attacker - who served as your role model?
Reece: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan growing up and he was the athlete I looked up to.
The host: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has shaped you and the player you have become?
Reece: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between youth and first-team football is the hardest and this represents likely what most players making the jump find challenging.
Kelly: You're referring to the club, of course. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? The location was miles away from everything you knew in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?
Reece: The first thing is that I featured week in week out, which helps. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and relatives and had to mature fast. Playing on a regular schedule helped a lot.
The interviewer: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?
The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has played at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he arrived and still does, presently 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. During matches, he occasionally see things that I perceived differently and attempt and paint a different picture.
The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to meet him recently [during the tournament]?
The defender: It was great to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is always good to see him.
Kelly: If you could go back and replay a single game in your career, what would you choose?
Reece: Assuming the result is remains the same - it would be the Champions League [final].
The host: Besides winning, what was so special about that night
