Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series in which leading personalities from athletics and show business join host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and drive, covering defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series uncovers the individual behind the player.

Reece James started training with the London club at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

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

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the Champions League with his club 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.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to talk about his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

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

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will know that location. My coffee is a flat white.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, like, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.

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

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

Kelly: It was big in your household, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

Reece: So there was three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Because I learned that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yeah, I recall - the drills started young. 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 played for as a child, what was it called, and your memories?

Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think I played for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a backline player at initially, correct? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left side, right side, and later to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as much but one day everything fell into place and I became a defender since.

Kelly: You said you started as a forward - who served as your idol?

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

The host: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is the hardest and this represents probably what many athletes making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, of course. What made was Wigan the right club for you at the time? It was miles away from everything you knew in the capital - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and relatives and had to grow up quickly. Participating on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

Kelly: Who has had the biggest impact on your professional journey?

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he joined and still does, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: In what way would he help you?

James: It was small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I perceived alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It must have been nice to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his club did well in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It is consistently positive to see him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and replay one match in your career, what would you choose?

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

Kelly: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about that night