Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton
- Published
This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series in which prominent figures from athletics and show business participate with host the interviewer for frank and detailed dialogues about football.
The program examines mindset and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. This series reveals the individual behind the athlete.
Reece James began practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.
James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 2019.
Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include earning his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.
Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over the past four seasons.
James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.
The defender discusses Thiago Silva's impact on his professional journey
The interviewer: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?
The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect more people will recognize that area. My beverage is a flat white.
Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?
James: No, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and stuff.
Kelly: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?
Reece: Essentially, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.
Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to respond to because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and development?
James: No, simply due to my memory is quite poor. My first remembrance was probably, unsure, attending matches of my sibling compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.
Kelly: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a little about that.
Reece: So there was three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.
Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Because I read that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.
James: Yes, I recall - the drills began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and national team attacker his sister].
Kelly: Tell me about your first ever team that you played for as a youngster, what was it called, and your memories?
Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. It was the local team in Kew. I think I was there for about twelve months. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.
The host: You didn't start as a backline player at first, were you? Explain about your role evolution and its development...
Reece: I began as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to wide positions, left side, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at defensive role, and I disliked it at that period.
The presenter: Why did you hate it?
Reece: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as much but one day it just clicked and I've been a defender since.
Reece James won the Champions League in 2021 when his team defeated Man City by one goal in the championship match in the Portuguese city
Kelly: You said you began as an attacker - who was your idol?
James: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter growing up and he represented the athlete I looked up to.
Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?
Reece: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between youth and first-team football is most challenging and that is likely what many athletes making the jump find difficult.
Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, of course. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? The location was miles away from all you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so well?
Reece: The first thing is that I featured week in week out, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and relatives and had to grow up fast. Participating on a consistent basis helped a lot.
Kelly: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your career?
Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's almost old enough to be my father and has competed 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 [after leaving the club in 2024].
Kelly: In what way would he help you?
Reece: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I saw differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.
Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?
The defender: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team did well in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to see him.
The interviewer: Were you able to go back and experience again a single game in your career, which would you pick?
Reece: If the outcome is going to be the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].
Kelly: Other than victory, what was so special about the occasion
