Style Obsession, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents a new series in which leading personalities from sports and show business join presenter Kelly Somers for candid and detailed dialogues about football.

The program examines mental approach and drive, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the person behind the player.

The Chelsea defender began training with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

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 to date include earning his England debut against Wales in 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, 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 relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

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

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: No, I began with, like, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.

Kelly: Your first recollection of playing? Is this difficult to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and development?

James: Not particularly, just because my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, attending matches of my sibling 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 father was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.

Reece: Well we were three children growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those training periods? Since I learned that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the yard.

James: Yes, I remember - the training started young. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and England attacker Lauren James].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a child, what was it called, and what can you remember?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. That was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think I was there 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, correct? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

Reece: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and eventually to central positions, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as frequently but one day it just clicked and I became a right-back since.

The interviewer: You said you began as a forward - who served as your idol?

James: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the player I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is most challenging and that is likely what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, of course. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at that period? The location was miles away from all you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The first thing is that I played consistently, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and relatives and had to mature fast. Participating on a consistent basis helped significantly.

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

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is nearly old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for so long. He always tried to help me from the minute he arrived and still does, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

James: It was little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I saw differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

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

Reece: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team did well in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It is always good to see him.

Kelly: If you could go back and experience again one match in your career, which would you pick?

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

Kelly: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about that night