Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program where leading personalities from sports and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for candid and detailed dialogues about football.

We'll explore mindset and motivation, covering defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the individual beyond the player.

Reece James began practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include making his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, winning the Champions League 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.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

The interviewer: First question: identity, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

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

Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?

James: Not exactly, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and stuff.

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

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

The interviewer: 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, just because my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, attending matches of my brother play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your family, correct, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a little about that.

The athlete: So there was three of us growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Can you recall many of those sessions? Because I learned that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I remember - the drills began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England forward Lauren James].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your first ever team that you represented as a child, what was it called, and what can you remember?

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

The host: You didn't start as a backline player at first, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...

James: I began as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left side, right side, and later to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I became a defender since.

The interviewer: You said you began as an attacker - who served as your role model?

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

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

Reece: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is the hardest and this represents likely what most players transitioning upwards find challenging.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, of course. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at that period? It was miles away from all you knew in London - what made it successful so effectively?

James: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to grow up quickly. Participating on a regular schedule assisted significantly.

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

Reece: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's nearly old enough to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for many years. He always tried to help me from the moment he arrived and still does, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

James: It was little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally see things that I perceived differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

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

Reece: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to the champions Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to see him.

The interviewer: If you could return and experience again one match in your professional history, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is going to be the identical - I'd select the European Cup decider.

The host: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about the occasion