Style Obsession, Idolizing Drogba & Bond with Lewis Hamilton
- Released
This Sports Conversation represents a new series in which prominent figures from athletics and entertainment participate with presenter Kelly Somers for frank and detailed discussions about football.
The program examines mental approach and motivation, covering defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. This series reveals the person behind the athlete.
Reece James began training with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.
The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in 2019.
Now 25, James' career highlights to date include earning his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper 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 talk about his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.
'He's nearly old enough to be my dad' - Reece James reveals the veteran's influence on his professional journey
The interviewer: First question: identity, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?
Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect many will recognize that location. My coffee is a flat white.
The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?
James: No, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.
The presenter: Let's start by talking football. What significance does soccer hold to you?
Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I just loved playing football.
The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a big part of your childhood and growing up?
James: Not particularly, just because my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, going to watch my sibling play. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.
The host: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your father was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a bit about that.
Reece: Well there was three children during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we used to train a lot with him.
Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Because I learned that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.
Reece: Yeah, I remember - the training started young. Thankfully, they paid off for me and my sister [the club and England attacker Lauren James].
Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a child, what was it called, and your memories?
The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. That was the local team in the area. I think I was there for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.
The host: And you weren't a defender at initially, were you? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...
Reece: I began as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and later to central positions, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.
The presenter: Why did you hate it?
The athlete: Since I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I became a defender since.
Reece James won the prestigious trophy in 2021 when his team defeated Man City by one goal in the final in the Portuguese city
The interviewer: You mentioned you began as a forward - who was your role model?
James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter growing up and he was the player I looked up to.
The host: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have become?
Reece: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is most challenging and this represents probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.
The presenter: You're talking about the club, of course. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? The location was distant from everything you knew in London - why did it work so well?
James: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and family and was forced to mature quickly. Participating on a consistent basis helped a lot.
Kelly: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your professional journey?
The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is nearly old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he joined and still does, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].
Kelly: In what way would he help you?
Reece: It was small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw differently and try and paint a different picture.
Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to meet him recently [at the Club World Cup]?
Reece: It proved great to see him again. I'm pleased that his team did well in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It is always good to encounter him.
Kelly: If you could return and replay one match in your professional history, which would you pick?
Reece: If the outcome is remains the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].
Kelly: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about that night
