Fashion Passion, Idolizing Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents a new series in which prominent figures from athletics and entertainment participate with host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive discussions about football.

We'll explore mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. This series uncovers the person beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender began training with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include earning his England debut against the Welsh team in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

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

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: identity, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect many will know that area. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: No, it started with, like, flavored coffees and stuff.

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

The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

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

James: No, just because my recollection is quite poor. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, attending matches of my brother compete. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was big in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.

Reece: Well there was three children growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

The presenter: Do you remember many of those training periods? Since I learned that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I recall - the training started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [Chelsea and England forward Lauren James].

Kelly: Talk to me about your first ever team 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. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

The host: You didn't start as a defender at first, correct? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then eventually moved to the wing, left side, right wing, and later to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as much but one day it just clicked and I became a right-back since.

Kelly: You said you began as a forward - who served as your idol?

James: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan growing up and he was the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Transitioning between youth and senior level is the hardest and that is likely what many athletes making the jump find difficult.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at the time? It was miles away from everything you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I played consistently, which helps. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and family and was forced to mature quickly. Participating on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

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

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He's almost old enough to be my father and has played at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he joined and still does, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I perceived alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

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

The defender: It was great to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions Chelsea]. It is always good to see him.

The interviewer: If you could return and replay one match in your career, what would you choose?

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

The host: Besides winning, what was so special about the occasion