Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

• Published
  Less than an hour ago

This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series in which leading personalities from sports and entertainment join host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. This series reveals the individual behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender began practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include earning his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

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

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: First question: name, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that area. My beverage is a flat white.

The host: Has it always been a flat white?

James: Not exactly, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

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

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and growing up?

Reece: No, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He is two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: So we were three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, 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 learned that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

James: Yes, I recall - the training began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England attacker his sister].

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

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was the local team in Kew. I believe I was there for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: And you weren't a backline player at first, correct? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...

Reece: I started off as a striker, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left side, right side, and later to midfield, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I became a right-back since.

Kelly: You said you began as a forward - who was your role model?

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he represented the athlete I looked up to.

The host: Can you think of a turning point in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is the hardest and this represents likely what most players making the jump find challenging.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, naturally. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at that period? The location was miles away from everything you knew in London - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and family and was forced to grow up fast. Playing on a regular schedule helped significantly.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your career?

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he joined and still does, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I perceived alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

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

Reece: It was great to see him again. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It's always good to encounter him.

The interviewer: Were you able to return and replay a single game in your professional history, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is remains the same - it would be the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about that night