Style Obsession, Looking Up To Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton
- Released
This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series where prominent figures from sports and show business participate with host Kelly Somers for candid and detailed dialogues about football.
We'll explore mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. This series reveals the person behind the athlete.
The Chelsea defender began practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - having progressed through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.
James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, 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 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.
Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries impacting him over recent years.
James sat down with the interviewer to talk about his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.
The defender discusses Thiago Silva's impact on his career
Kelly Somers: First question: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?
The athlete: The name is Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.
Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?
James: No, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.
Kelly: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?
The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.
Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and development?
James: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, attending matches of my sibling play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.
The host: It was significant in your household, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.
Reece: So 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.
The presenter: Do you remember many of those sessions? Because I learned that starting from the four years old, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.
James: Yeah, I recall - the training began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for me and my sister [the club and England forward his sister].
The interviewer: Talk to me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, its name, and your memories?
The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was the local team in the area. I believe I played for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.
The host: You didn't start as a defender at initially, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and its development...
James: I began as a striker, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left wing, right wing, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.
The presenter: Why did you hate it?
The athlete: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but one day it just clicked and I became a defender since.
The defender claimed the prestigious trophy in that year when his team defeated Man City 1-0 in the final in the Portuguese city
The interviewer: You said you started as a forward - who served as your role model?
James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan during youth and he represented the athlete I looked up to.
The host: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have become?
The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and senior level is most challenging and that is likely what most players making the jump find challenging.
The presenter: You're talking about the club, naturally. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was miles away from everything you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so well?
James: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and family and was forced to grow up quickly. Participating on a regular schedule assisted a lot.
Kelly: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your career?
Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He is almost sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for so long. He always tried to help me from the moment he joined and still does, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].
Kelly: In what way would he assist you?
James: These were little messages away from games. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I perceived differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.
Kelly: It must have been pleasant to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?
The defender: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.
The interviewer: Were you able to return and replay a single game in your professional history, which would you pick?
Reece: Assuming the result is going to be the same - I'd select the European Cup decider.
The host: Other than victory, what was so special about the occasion
