Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

• Published
  47 minutes ago

This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program in which leading personalities from sports and entertainment participate with presenter Kelly Somers for candid and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series uncovers the individual beyond the athlete.

Reece James began training with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the youth system 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 the opposition in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements to date include earning his international bow against Wales 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 the past four seasons.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: name, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

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

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

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

Kelly: Let's start 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.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to respond to because it represented a big part of your early years and growing up?

Reece: No, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was probably, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was big 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: Well we were three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those training periods? Since I read that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I remember - the drills started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward his sister].

Kelly: Talk to me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, its name, and what can you remember?

Reece: I don't remember much, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I was there for about twelve months. It was from there that I was scouted for Chelsea.

Kelly: You didn't start as a backline player at first, were you? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...

James: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left side, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at that period.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as an attacker - who was your role model?

Reece: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he was the player I looked up to.

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

Reece: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and senior level is the hardest and this represents probably what many athletes making the jump find challenging.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, of course. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? It was miles away from all you knew in London - why did it work so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and relatives and had to grow up fast. Participating on a regular schedule helped a lot.

The interviewer: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he joined and continues to, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

James: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly nice to see him this summer [during the tournament]?

Reece: It proved great to see him again. I'm pleased that his team did well in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It is always good to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to return and experience again a single game in your career, what would you choose?

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

Kelly: Besides victory, what was so special about the occasion