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

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  47 minutes ago

This Sports Conversation represents an innovative program in which prominent figures from athletics and entertainment participate with presenter Kelly Somers for candid and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and drive, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview uncovers the person beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender began training with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include earning his England debut against Wales in 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 multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

Reece: No, I began with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

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

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

Kelly: Your first recollection of playing? Is this difficult to respond to because it represented a big part of your early years and development?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was probably, unsure, attending matches of my brother compete. He is two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was big in your family, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

The athlete: So there was three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Because I read that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the yard.

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

Kelly: Talk to me about your first ever team that you represented as a child, what was it called, and your memories?

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. 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: You didn't start as a defender at initially, were you? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

James: I began as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left wing, right wing, and later to central positions, and then eventually at defensive role, and I disliked it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the football as much but eventually everything fell into place and I became a right-back since.

Kelly: You mentioned you started as a forward - who was your idol?

James: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he represented the athlete I looked up to.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has shaped you and the player you have become?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Transitioning between youth and first-team football is most challenging and that is probably what many athletes making the jump find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, of course. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? The location was distant from everything you were familiar with in London - why did it work so well?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and relatives and was forced to grow up fast. Playing on a regular schedule assisted significantly.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your career?

Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for so long. He always tried to assist me from the moment he arrived and still does, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice away from games. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations that I perceived differently and try and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It must have been pleasant to see him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It proved great to see him again. I'm pleased that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and replay a single game in your career, which would you pick?

James: If the outcome is remains the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Besides winning, what was so special about the occasion