Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program where prominent figures from sports and entertainment join host the interviewer for candid and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

The program examines mindset and motivation, covering defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series uncovers the individual behind the player.

The Chelsea defender began training with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his England debut against the Welsh team in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.

James sat down with the interviewer to talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: First question: name, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect many will recognize that location. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

James: Not exactly, I began with, like, flavored coffees and stuff.

The presenter: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and development?

Reece: No, simply due to my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was big in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

Reece: Well there was three children during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Because I learned that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I recall - the training began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for me and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward Lauren James].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a child, its name, and what can you remember?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I was there for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

The host: And you weren't a backline player at initially, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...

James: I started off as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to wide positions, left side, right side, and later to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as much but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

Kelly: You said you began as an attacker - who served as your idol?

Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the player I looked up to.

Kelly: Identify a turning point in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the professional you have become?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is the hardest and this represents probably what many athletes making the jump find challenging.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was distant from everything you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and family and was forced to grow up fast. Participating on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

Kelly: Who has had the greatest influence on your professional journey?

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly old enough to be my dad and has played at the highest level for many years. He always tried to help me from the moment he arrived and continues to, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

James: It was little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally see things that I perceived differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to meet him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to go back and experience again a single game in your professional history, which would you pick?

Reece: If the outcome is remains the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about that night