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This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series where prominent figures from athletics and show business join host Kelly Somers for candid and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

The program examines mindset and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series uncovers the individual behind the player.

The Chelsea defender began training with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, netting on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include earning his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over the past four seasons.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his professional peaks, Thiago Silva's influence, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: First question: identity, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will know that area. My beverage is a specific coffee type.

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

James: No, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

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

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't exactly the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.

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

Reece: No, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, going to watch my brother play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He's a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a little about that.

Reece: Well we were three of us during childhood. We were all football mad, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Because I read that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yeah, I recall - the drills started young. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sister [the club and national team forward Lauren James].

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

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was the local team in Kew. I think I played for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at initially, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and its development...

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

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I always wanted to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as much but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You said you began as a forward - who served as your idol?

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

Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

Reece: I would probably say the loan spell. Transitioning between youth and first-team football is the hardest and this represents likely what many athletes making the jump find challenging.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, naturally. What made did Wigan become the ideal team for you at the time? It was distant from all you knew in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and relatives and was forced to grow up quickly. Participating on a regular schedule helped significantly.

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

The athlete: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He is nearly sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for so long. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he joined and continues to, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

Reece: These were little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

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

Reece: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team did well in the competition [they were defeated in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It's consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: Were you able to go back and replay a single game in your career, what would you choose?

James: Assuming the result is going to be the same - I'd select the European Cup decider.

Kelly: Besides victory, what made it exceptional about that night