Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

• Published
  Less than an hour ago

This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program in which leading personalities from athletics and show business participate with host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. This series uncovers the person behind the player.

Reece James began practicing with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include making his international bow against Wales in 2020, winning the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over the past four seasons.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: name, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will know that area. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

Reece: No, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

Kelly: We'll begin by talking football. What does football mean to you?

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to answer because it was such a big part of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: No, simply due to my memory is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, attending matches of my brother play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.

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

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Since I read that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I remember - the training began early. Fortunately, they paid off for me and my sister [the club and England attacker Lauren James].

The interviewer: Tell me about your first ever team that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and your memories?

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think I played for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

Kelly: You didn't start as a backline player at first, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

James: I began as a forward, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left side, right side, and later to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as frequently but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as an attacker - who served as your idol?

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he was the athlete I looked up to.

Kelly: Identify a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is the hardest and this represents probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. Why did Wigan become 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 consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired valuable exposure - I moved away from my companions and family and had to grow up fast. Playing on a consistent basis assisted significantly.

The interviewer: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your career?

Reece: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He is almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at elite standard for so long. He always tried to assist me from the minute he joined and still does, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

James: It was little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly nice to see him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved great to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

Kelly: If you could go back and replay one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

James: If the outcome is remains the same - it would be the Champions League [final].

The host: Other than winning, what was so special about that night