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This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program in which leading personalities from sports and show business participate with presenter the interviewer for frank and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.
We'll explore mindset and drive, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series reveals the person behind the athlete.
The Chelsea defender began practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now club captain.
The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, scoring on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.
Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include making his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.
Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries impacting him over the past four seasons.
The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss 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 career
Kelly Somers: First question: identity, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?
Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that area. My beverage is a flat white.
Kelly: Was it consistently a flat white?
James: Not exactly, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.
The presenter: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What significance does soccer hold to you?
The defender: I mean, from a little kid, it's kind of my entire focus in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved the sport.
Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?
James: Not particularly, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, attending matches of my sibling compete. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.
Kelly: It was significant in your family, correct, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.
Reece: Well we were three of us during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.
Kelly: Can you recall many of those sessions? Since I read that starting from the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.
James: Yeah, I remember - the drills started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England forward his sister].
The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a youngster, what was it called, and your memories?
The defender: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was the local team in Kew. I think I played for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.
The host: You didn't start as a defender at initially, were you? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...
James: I started off as a striker, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left side, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.
The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?
Reece: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as much but one day it just clicked and I've been a right-back since.
The defender claimed the Champions League in 2021 when his team beat Manchester City 1-0 in the championship match in the Portuguese city
Kelly: You said you started as an attacker - who served as your role model?
Reece: The player I admired was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he was the athlete I looked up to.
The host: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?
Reece: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is most challenging and this represents likely what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.
The presenter: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at that period? It was distant from everything you were familiar with in the capital - why did it work so well?
James: The first thing is that I played consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and relatives and was forced to grow up fast. Playing on a consistent basis helped significantly.
Kelly: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your career?
Reece: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's almost old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to assist me from the minute he arrived and still does, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].
The host: In what way would he assist you?
Reece: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations that I perceived differently and attempt and paint a different picture.
Kelly: It must have been nice to meet him recently [during the tournament]?
The defender: It proved great to see him again. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It's consistently positive to see him.
Kelly: Were you able to go back and replay a single game in your professional history, which would you pick?
Reece: If the outcome is remains the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].
Kelly: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about that night
