Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation represents a new series in which leading personalities from sports and show business participate with presenter Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive dialogues about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview uncovers the person behind the player.

Reece James started practicing with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.

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

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

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

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

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect more people will recognize that location. My coffee is a flat white.

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

James: No, I began with, like, vanilla lattes and stuff.

The presenter: Let's start by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?

Reece: I mean, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in education. 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 was such a significant aspect of your early years and development?

James: Not particularly, just because my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

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

The athlete: Well there was three children growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

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

James: Yes, I remember - the training started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [the club and national team forward his sister].

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

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. That was the local team in Kew. I think I played for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at initially, correct? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left side, right side, and later to central positions, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but one day it just clicked and I became a right-back since.

Kelly: You said you started as an attacker - who served as your role model?

James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he was the player I looked up to.

The host: Can you think of a turning point in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the professional you have evolved into?

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

Kelly: You're referring to the club, of course. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? It was miles away from everything you knew in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

James: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and family and was forced to mature quickly. Playing on a consistent basis helped a lot.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he arrived and still does, even now he is departed [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I saw differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been pleasant to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

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

The interviewer: If you could return and experience again one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

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

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