Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton
- Released
This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program in which prominent figures from sports and show business join presenter the interviewer for frank and comprehensive dialogues about football.
The program examines mindset and drive, covering pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series uncovers the person beyond the athlete.
Reece James started training with the London club at six years old and - having progressed through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.
The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.
Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include making his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup 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 affecting him over recent years.
The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, 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: identity, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?
The athlete: I am Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that area. My beverage is a flat white.
Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?
Reece: Not exactly, I began with, like, flavored coffees and similar drinks.
The presenter: We'll begin by talking football. What does football mean to you?
Reece: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored 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 growing up?
James: No, just because my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, going to watch my brother play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.
Kelly: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, right? Share with me a bit about that.
Reece: So there was three of us growing up. It was all football mad, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.
Kelly: Do you remember 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 sister [Chelsea and England forward Lauren James].
Kelly: Talk to me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, its name, and what can you remember?
Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I was there for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.
Kelly: And you weren't a defender at first, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...
James: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left wing, right side, and later to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at that period.
Kelly: Why did you hate it?
Reece: Because I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as much but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.
The defender claimed the Champions League in that year when his team defeated Man City 1-0 in the final in Porto
Kelly: You mentioned you began as an attacker - who was your idol?
James: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan during youth and he represented the player I looked up to.
The host: Can you think of a turning point in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have become?
The defender: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is the hardest and this represents probably what most players making the jump find challenging.
The presenter: You're talking about the club, of course. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? The location was distant from everything you were familiar with in London - why did it work so well?
Reece: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and family and was forced to grow up fast. Playing on a regular schedule helped significantly.
Kelly: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?
The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is almost old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for many years. He always tried to assist me from the moment he arrived and continues to, presently 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. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I perceived alternatively and attempt and paint a different picture.
Kelly: It was undoubtedly nice to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?
The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his club performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's always good to encounter him.
Kelly: Were you able to return and experience again one match in your career, which would you pick?
James: If the outcome is going to be the same - I'd select the European Cup decider.
The host: Other than winning, what was so special about the occasion
