Style Obsession, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

• Released
  47 minutes ago

This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series where leading personalities from sports and entertainment join host the interviewer for frank and detailed discussions about football.

We'll explore mental approach and drive, covering defining moments, career highlights and individual insights. This series uncovers the person behind the player.

The Chelsea defender started training with Chelsea at six years old 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, netting on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements to date include earning his international bow against Wales in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

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

James sat down with the interviewer to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

The interviewer: First question: name, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure many will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.

The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

James: No, I began with, like, flavored coffees and stuff.

The presenter: We'll begin by talking football. What significance does soccer hold to you?

The defender: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't the most academic student, and I just loved playing football.

Kelly: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to answer because it was such a big part of your early years and growing up?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.

Reece: So we were three of us growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Since I read that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the drills began early. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and England forward his sister].

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

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was the local team in Kew. I believe I was there for about a year. 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, correct? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right side, and eventually to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I disliked it at the time.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as much but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you began as a forward - who was your role model?

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter growing up and he represented the athlete I looked up to.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

The defender: I would probably say going on loan. Transitioning between youth and senior level is the hardest and this represents likely what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, of course. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was distant from everything you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so well?

James: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and family and had to mature quickly. Playing on a regular schedule helped significantly.

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

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has played at elite standard for so long. He always tried to help me from the minute he joined and still does, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].

Kelly: In what way would he help you?

Reece: These were little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I perceived differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

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

The interviewer: Were you able to return and experience again one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

Reece: If the outcome is remains the identical - it would be the European Cup decider.

The host: Other than winning, what was so special about that night