Style Obsession, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents a new series where leading personalities from athletics and entertainment participate with host the interviewer for frank and comprehensive discussions about football.

The program examines mental approach and drive, covering defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual beyond the player.

Reece James started practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, netting on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights to date include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

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

The presenter: Let's start by talking football. What significance does soccer hold to you?

Reece: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of all I knew in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and development?

Reece: Not particularly, just because my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, going to watch my sibling play. 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 father was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a little about that.

The athlete: Well there was three children during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Because I read that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

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

Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, its name, and what can you remember?

The defender: I don't remember much, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I think 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? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...

Reece: I began as a striker, and then eventually moved to the wing, left wing, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as frequently but one day it just clicked and I've been a right-back since.

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

Reece: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he was the athlete I looked up to.

The host: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

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

The presenter: You're talking about the club, of course. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? The location was miles away from all you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and family and had to mature fast. Participating on a consistent basis assisted significantly.

The interviewer: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?

Reece: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he arrived and continues to, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally see things that I saw alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to meet him recently [during the tournament]?

Reece: It proved great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his club performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It's always good to encounter him.

Kelly: Were you able to go back and replay a single game in your career, what would you choose?

Reece: Assuming the result is remains the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Other than victory, what was so special about the occasion