Style Obsession, Looking Up To Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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  47 minutes ago

This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series in which prominent figures from sports and show business join presenter the interviewer for candid and detailed dialogues about football.

The program examines mindset and motivation, discussing defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. This series reveals the person behind the player.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 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 appointed club captain in 2023.

However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.

James sat down with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

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

The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

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

Kelly: Let's start by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?

The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in education. I wasn't 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 represented a big part of your early years and growing up?

Reece: Not particularly, just because my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, attending matches of my sibling play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

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

Kelly: Do you remember many of those sessions? Since I learned that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the training began early. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sister [the club and national team forward Lauren James].

Kelly: 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. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I believe I was there for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a backline player at first, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...

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

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as much but eventually 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: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter growing up and he was the player I looked up to.

Kelly: Identify a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is most challenging and this represents probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, of course. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? The location was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so well?

James: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to grow up quickly. Participating on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

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

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is nearly old enough to be my father and has played at elite standard for many years. He always tried to help me from the moment he arrived and continues to, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I perceived differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been pleasant to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's always good to see him.

Kelly: If you could return and experience again a single game in your career, what would you choose?

James: Assuming the result is going to be the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about the occasion