Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton
- Published
This Sports Conversation represents a new series where prominent figures from sports and entertainment participate with host Kelly Somers for candid and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.
We'll explore mindset and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series reveals the individual behind the athlete.
The Chelsea defender started practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.
The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.
Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include making his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.
However, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries affecting him over the past four seasons.
The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.
'He's nearly old enough to be my dad' - Reece James reveals Thiago Silva's impact on his professional journey
The interviewer: First question: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?
Reece James: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that location. My coffee is a specific coffee type.
The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?
James: No, I began with, like, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.
Kelly: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?
The defender: I mean, from a little kid, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.
The interviewer: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and development?
Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.
Kelly: It was big in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.
Reece: So we were three children during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.
Kelly: Can you recall many of those sessions? Since I learned that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.
James: Yes, I recall - the training started young. Fortunately, they paid off for me and my sibling [the club and England forward Lauren James].
The interviewer: Talk to me about your first ever team that you represented as a youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?
The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I played for about twelve months. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.
The host: And you weren't a backline player at initially, correct? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...
James: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.
Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?
Reece: Since I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as much but eventually it just clicked and I've been a defender since.
The defender claimed the Champions League in 2021 when his team defeated Man City by one goal in the final in the Portuguese city
The interviewer: You mentioned you began as a forward - who was your role model?
Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he was the athlete I admired.
Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have become?
The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is the hardest and that is probably what many athletes making the jump find challenging.
Kelly: You're referring to the club, naturally. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? It was distant from everything you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so effectively?
Reece: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and family and had to mature fast. Participating on a regular schedule assisted a lot.
Kelly: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your career?
The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's nearly old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for so long. He always tried to assist me from the moment he arrived and continues to, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].
The host: In what way would he assist you?
Reece: It was small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I saw alternatively and try and paint a different picture.
Kelly: It must have been nice to see him this summer [during the tournament]?
The defender: It was great to see him again. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It is always good to see him.
The interviewer: Were you able to return and experience again one match in your career, what would you choose?
James: Assuming the result is going to be the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].
The host: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about that night
