Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

• Released
  47 minutes ago

This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program in which prominent figures from athletics and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for candid and detailed dialogues about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mental approach and drive, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. This series reveals the individual behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - having progressed through the academy and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

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

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: identity, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

Kelly: Let's start by talking football. What significance does soccer hold to you?

Reece: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and development?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, going to watch my sibling compete. He is two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

The athlete: Well we were three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Since I read that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I recall - the drills started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and England attacker his sister].

The interviewer: Tell me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, its name, and your memories?

Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. It was the local team in the area. I believe I was there for about twelve months. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

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

Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left side, right wing, and later to midfield, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as much but eventually it just clicked and I became a defender since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as an attacker - who was your role model?

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he represented the player I admired.

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

The defender: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is the hardest and that is likely what many athletes making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're talking about the club, naturally. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? The location was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - why did it work so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I played consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and family and had to mature fast. Participating on a consistent basis helped significantly.

The interviewer: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your career?

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he arrived and continues to, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

James: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I saw differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been nice to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is always good to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to go back and replay a single game in your career, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is remains the same - it would be the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Besides winning, what was so special about the occasion