Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

• Published
  Less than an hour ago

This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program where leading personalities from athletics and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series uncovers the individual beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender 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.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include making his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, 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 discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

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

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, like, flavored coffees and stuff.

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

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this tough to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and development?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, going to watch my sibling play. He's two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

The athlete: Well we were three children during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Since I learned that starting from the four years old, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the drills began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [the club and England attacker his sister].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a youngster, its name, and your memories?

Reece: I don't remember much, frankly. That was the local team in the area. 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 defender at initially, were you? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

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

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as much but eventually it just clicked and I became a defender since.

Kelly: You said you began as an attacker - who served as your idol?

James: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he was the player I admired.

The host: Identify a turning point in your career - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is most challenging and this represents likely what most players making the jump find difficult.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? The location was distant from everything you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so well?

James: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and relatives and had to grow up quickly. Participating on a consistent basis helped a lot.

Kelly: Who has had the greatest influence on your professional journey?

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's almost old enough to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for many years. He always tried to help me from the minute he arrived and continues to, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

James: It was little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes observe situations that I perceived differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the tournament [they were defeated in the penultimate round to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: If you could return and experience again a single game in your career, what would you choose?

James: Assuming the result is going to be the identical - I'd select the European Cup decider.

The host: Other than victory, what made it exceptional about that night