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This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program in which prominent figures from sports and show business join presenter the interviewer for candid and comprehensive dialogues about football.

We'll explore mindset and drive, covering defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. This series uncovers the individual behind the athlete.

The Chelsea defender started practicing with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include making his England debut against the Welsh team in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries impacting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to talk about his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his friendship with seven-time F1 world champion the racing driver.

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

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

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

James: Not exactly, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

Kelly: Let's start by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?

The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically all I knew in education. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored 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 childhood and development?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, attending matches of my sibling play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

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

The athlete: Well there was three children growing up. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

The presenter: Can you recall many of those training periods? Because I learned that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

James: Yes, I recall - the drills started young. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and national team forward his sister].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your first ever team that you represented as a child, what was it called, and your memories?

Reece: My recollection is limited, frankly. It was the local team in Kew. I think I was there for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

Kelly: And you weren't a defender at initially, correct? Explain about your positional journey and how that changed...

Reece: I started off as a striker, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left side, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to play midfield. You didn't touch the football as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.

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

James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter growing up and he represented the athlete I looked up to.

Kelly: Can you think of a turning point in your professional life - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

Reece: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and senior level is most challenging and this represents probably what most players making the jump find difficult.

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

James: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I relocated from my companions and family and was forced to mature quickly. Playing on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

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

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He is almost old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he arrived and still does, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

The host: In what way would he help you?

Reece: These were small pieces of advice off the pitch. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I saw differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been pleasant to see him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It was great to see him again. I'm happy that his club performed admirably in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to the champions his team]. It is always good to encounter him.

The interviewer: If you could go back and replay one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

James: If the outcome is going to be the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].

The host: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about that night