Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program where leading personalities from athletics and show business join presenter the interviewer for candid and detailed discussions about football.

We'll explore mindset and motivation, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. The Football Interview uncovers the individual behind the player.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with the London club at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include earning his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries impacting him over the past four seasons.

James sat down with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: First question: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

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

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

James: Not exactly, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in education. 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 answer because it represented a significant aspect of your early years and development?

James: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He is two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: Well there was three of us during childhood. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

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

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

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

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was the local team in the area. I think I was there for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: You didn't start as a defender at first, were you? Explain about your positional journey and how that changed...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left side, right side, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as a forward - who served as your idol?

Reece: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he was the player I admired.

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 would probably say going on loan. Transitioning between academy and senior level is the hardest and this represents probably what most players transitioning upwards find challenging.

Kelly: You're talking about the club, of course. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? The location was miles away from everything you knew in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?

James: The primary factor is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and family and had to grow up fast. Playing on a regular schedule assisted significantly.

Kelly: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is nearly old enough to be my father and has played at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he joined and continues to, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he help you?

James: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he occasionally see things that I saw alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It must have been nice to meet him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved great to see him again. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It's consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: If you could return and replay a single game in your professional history, what would you choose?

James: If the outcome is going to be the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Other than victory, what was so special about the occasion