Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program where leading personalities from athletics and entertainment participate with presenter Kelly Somers for candid and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the individual beyond the athlete.

Reece James started practicing with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 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 his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over the past four seasons.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure many will recognize that area. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, such as, 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 my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved the sport.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this tough to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: No, just because my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, going to watch my sibling compete. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, correct, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a little about that.

The athlete: Well we were three children growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

The presenter: Can you recall many of those sessions? Because I read that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he conducted exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yeah, I remember - the training began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England forward his sister].

Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you represented as a child, what was it called, and your memories?

The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. It was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I believe I was there for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

Kelly: And you weren't a backline player at first, correct? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...

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

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as much but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

Kelly: You said you started as an attacker - who served as your role model?

James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he represented the athlete I looked up to.

The host: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is most challenging and that is likely what many athletes making the jump find challenging.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at the time? The location was miles away from all you knew in London - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and family and had to mature fast. Participating on a consistent basis helped a lot.

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

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is nearly old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he arrived and continues to, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: In what way would he help you?

Reece: These were little messages off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I saw differently and attempt and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It must have been pleasant to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It is consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: If you could return and replay one match in your professional history, what would you choose?

Reece: Assuming the result is remains the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].

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