- Released
This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series in which leading personalities from athletics and show business join host Kelly Somers for frank and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.
We'll explore mindset and drive, covering defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. This series reveals the individual beyond the player.
The Chelsea defender began practicing with the London club at six years old and - having progressed through the youth system and into the first team - is now club captain.
The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.
Now 25, his professional achievements so far include earning his England debut against Wales in 2020, winning the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.
However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries affecting him over the past four seasons.
James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.
'He's nearly old enough to be my dad' - Reece James reveals the veteran's influence on his career
Kelly Somers: First question: identity, your origins, and what's your coffee order?
Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I'm sure many will know that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.
Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?
James: Not exactly, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.
The presenter: Let's start by talking football. What does football mean to you?
Reece: Essentially, from a little kid, it's kind of my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I just loved playing football.
Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and development?
Reece: No, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my sibling play. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.
The host: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your father was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.
Reece: So there was three of us during childhood. We were all football mad, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.
The presenter: Can you recall many of those training periods? Because I read that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the back garden.
Reece: Yeah, I recall - the training began early. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sister [the club and England attacker his sister].
The interviewer: Tell me about your first ever team that you played for as a child, its name, and your memories?
Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was Kew Park Rangers in the area. 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 backline player at initially, were you? Explain about your role evolution and its development...
James: I began as a striker, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left side, right wing, and later to midfield, and then eventually at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.
The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?
Reece: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as much but eventually everything fell into place and I became a right-back since.
The defender claimed the prestigious trophy in that year when his team beat Manchester City 1-0 in the championship match in Porto
The interviewer: You said you began as an attacker - who served as your role model?
Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he represented the player I admired.
Kelly: Identify a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?
The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is most challenging and that is likely what many athletes making the jump find difficult.
Kelly: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? The location was distant from everything you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so well?
Reece: The first thing is that I played consistently, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and relatives and was forced to grow up fast. Playing on a consistent basis assisted a lot.
Kelly: Who has had the greatest influence on your career?
Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is almost old enough to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he joined and still does, presently he is departed [having left Chelsea in that year].
Kelly: In what way would he help you?
James: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he occasionally see things that I saw differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.
Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to meet him recently [during the tournament]?
The defender: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team did well in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is always good to encounter him.
Kelly: Were you able to go back and replay one match in your professional history, which would you pick?
Reece: Assuming the result is going to be the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].
Kelly: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about that night
