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This Sports Conversation represents a new series in which leading personalities from athletics and entertainment participate with host the interviewer for candid and detailed discussions about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mental approach and drive, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the person beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender began practicing with the London club at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include earning his England debut against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with a series of injuries affecting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to talk about his career highs, Thiago Silva's influence, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

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

The athlete: I am Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure more people will recognize that location. My beverage is a flat white.

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

James: No, I began with, like, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

Kelly: We'll begin by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?

The defender: Essentially, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored playing football.

Kelly: Your first recollection of participating? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

James: No, just because my memory is so bad. My first remembrance was likely, unsure, going to watch my sibling compete. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.

The athlete: So there was three children growing up. We were all football mad, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

The presenter: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Since I read that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

James: Yeah, I remember - the training started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [Chelsea and national team forward Lauren James].

The interviewer: Tell me about your initial club that you played for as a youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. It was the local team in Kew. I believe I played for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

Kelly: And you weren't a defender at first, were you? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

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

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the football as much but one day it just clicked and I became a defender since.

Kelly: You said you started as a forward - who was your role model?

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a supporter during youth and he was the athlete I looked up to.

Kelly: Identify a turning point in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?

Reece: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and senior level is most challenging and that is likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

Kelly: You're talking about Wigan, of course. Why did Wigan become the ideal team for you at that period? The location was distant from everything you knew in the capital - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which proves beneficial. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and relatives and had to mature quickly. Participating on a consistent basis helped significantly.

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

Reece: I would say [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has competed at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to assist me from the moment he joined and still does, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes observe situations that I perceived alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

Reece: It was great to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It is consistently positive to see him.

The interviewer: Were you able to return and experience again one match in your professional history, what would you choose?

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

The host: Other than winning, what was so special about that night