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This Sports Conversation represents a new series where leading personalities from athletics and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for candid and detailed discussions about football.

The program examines mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview uncovers the individual beyond the athlete.

Reece James started training with Chelsea at the age of six and - having progressed through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, scoring on his debut in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights to date include making his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries impacting him over the past four seasons.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

The interviewer: First question: name, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: The name is 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.

The host: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

Reece: No, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and development?

James: No, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, going to watch my brother compete. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was big in your family, wasn't it, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: Well we were three of us during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

The presenter: Do you remember a lot of those training periods? Since I read that as young as the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yeah, I remember - the training began early. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and national team attacker his sister].

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

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. That was the local team in the area. I believe I was there for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a backline player at initially, correct? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

James: I started off as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to the wing, left side, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as much but eventually it just clicked and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You said you began as an attacker - who was your role model?

Reece: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a supporter growing up and he represented the athlete I admired.

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

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is most challenging and this represents likely what many athletes making the jump find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about the club, naturally. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at that period? The location was distant from everything you were familiar with in London - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and relatives and had to mature quickly. Playing on a consistent basis assisted significantly.

The interviewer: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is almost old enough to be my dad and has played at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he joined and still does, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

James: These were little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally see things that I perceived differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It must have been pleasant to meet him this summer [during the tournament]?

Reece: It was wonderful to see him again. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: Were you able to return and replay one match in your career, what would you choose?

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

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