Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program in which leading personalities from sports and show business join host the interviewer for candid and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mental approach and drive, covering defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual behind the player.

The Chelsea defender began practicing with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include making his England debut against Wales in 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

The host: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

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

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

The defender: Essentially, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to answer because it was such a big part of your early years and growing up?

Reece: No, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, going to watch my sibling play. He's two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, correct, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: Well we were three children during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Since I read that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I recall - the drills began early. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sister [Chelsea and England attacker his sister].

The interviewer: Tell me about your initial club that you represented as a child, its name, and what can you remember?

Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was the local team in the area. I believe I was there for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a defender at first, were you? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

Reece: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left wing, right side, and later to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

Kelly: You said you started as an attacker - who was your idol?

Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he was the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is most challenging and this represents likely what most players making the jump find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, of course. Why was Wigan the right club for you at that period? The location was distant from all you knew in London - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired valuable exposure - I moved away from my companions and family and was forced to mature fast. Participating on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

The interviewer: Who has had the biggest impact on your professional journey?

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has played at elite standard for many years. He always tried to help me from the moment he joined and continues to, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: How specifically would he assist you?

James: These were little messages off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I saw differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It must have been nice to see him recently [during the tournament]?

The defender: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his club did well in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

Kelly: If you could return and replay a single game in your professional history, which would you pick?

Reece: Assuming the result is remains the same - I'd select the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Other than winning, what was so special about the occasion