Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

• Published
  47 minutes ago

This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program in which prominent figures from sports and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for candid and detailed discussions about football.

We'll explore mindset and motivation, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series reveals the person behind the player.

Reece James began practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include earning his international bow against Wales in 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

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

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

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

James: No, I began with, like, flavored coffees and stuff.

Kelly: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What significance does soccer hold to you?

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

Kelly: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to answer because it was such a big part of your childhood and development?

Reece: No, just because my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, going to watch my brother compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

Reece: So there was three children growing up. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

Kelly: Can you recall many of those sessions? Since I read that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I remember - the training began early. Fortunately, they paid off for me and my sibling [the club and national team attacker his sister].

Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, its name, and what can you remember?

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think I played for about twelve months. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a backline player at first, were you? Talk to me about your role evolution and its development...

James: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right side, and later to central positions, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as frequently but one day it just clicked and I became a defender since.

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

Reece: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he was the player I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is the hardest and this represents probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, of course. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? It was distant from all you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and family and had to mature fast. Participating on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your professional journey?

Reece: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is almost old enough to be my father and has played at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he joined and still does, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

Kelly: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: It was little messages off the pitch. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly nice to meet him recently [during the tournament]?

Reece: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to the champions Chelsea]. It is always good to see him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and experience again one match in your career, what would you choose?

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

The host: Other than victory, what was so special about the occasion