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This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series in which leading personalities from sports and show business join presenter Kelly Somers for frank and detailed discussions about football.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. This series reveals the person beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender began training with Chelsea at six years old and - after developing through the academy and into the first team - is now club captain.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights to date include making his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

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

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

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

The athlete: I am Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will recognize that location. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

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

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

The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't exactly 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 growing up?

James: No, simply due to my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, attending matches of my brother compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

The host: It was significant in your family, wasn't it, because your father was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Share with me a little about that.

The athlete: So there was three of us during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a trainer as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

Kelly: Can you recall a lot of those training periods? Because I learned that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yes, I recall - the training began early. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and national team attacker his sister].

The interviewer: Tell me about your initial club that you played for as a youngster, its name, and your memories?

Reece: I don't remember much, frankly. That was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think I was there for about a year. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

The host: And you weren't a backline player at first, were you? Explain about your positional journey and how that changed...

Reece: I started off as a forward, and then eventually moved to the wing, left side, right side, and later to central positions, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at the time.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Because I always wanted to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as much but eventually everything fell into place and I became a defender since.

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

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan growing up and he was the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has shaped you and the professional you have evolved into?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is most challenging and this represents probably 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 miles away from everything you knew in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?

James: The first thing is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my friends and relatives and was forced to mature 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 almost sufficiently experienced to be my father and has played at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the moment he arrived and continues to, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in 2024].

Kelly: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: These were little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I saw differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

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

Reece: It was great to see him again. I'm happy that his club performed admirably in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's always good to see him.

Kelly: Were you able to return and experience again a single game in your career, which would you pick?

Reece: Assuming the result is remains the same - I'd select the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Other than victory, what was so special about that night