Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

• Released
  47 minutes ago

This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program in which prominent figures from athletics and show business join presenter 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. This series uncovers the individual beyond the athlete.

Reece James began training with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights to date include earning his international bow against Wales in 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over the past four seasons.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: identity, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect more people will recognize that location. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

The presenter: Let's start by talking football. What does football mean to you?

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.

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

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

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

Reece: Well we were three of us during childhood. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Since I read that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yes, I recall - the drills began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and national team forward his sister].

Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you played for as a youngster, its name, and your memories?

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I believe I played for about twelve months. It was from there that I was scouted for the professional club.

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

Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left wing, right wing, and later to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as much but eventually it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

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

James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he was the athlete I looked up to.

Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has influenced your development and the professional you have become?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is most challenging and this represents probably what most players making the jump find challenging.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, of course. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? It was miles away from all you knew in London - why did it work so well?

James: The first thing is that I played consistently, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and family and was forced to grow up quickly. Playing on a regular schedule assisted significantly.

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

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's almost old enough to be my father and has competed at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he arrived and still does, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I saw alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

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

The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and replay a single game in your career, which would you pick?

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

Kelly: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about the occasion