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This Sports Conversation represents a new series where prominent figures from athletics and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for candid and detailed dialogues about football.

We'll explore mental approach and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, career highlights and individual insights. The Football Interview reveals the individual behind the player.

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

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Currently twenty-five, James' career highlights so far include earning his England debut against the Welsh team in the year 2020, claiming the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.

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

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I'm sure many will know that location. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Has it always been a flat white?

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

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

The defender: Essentially, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a significant aspect of your childhood and development?

Reece: Not particularly, just because my memory is quite poor. My first remembrance was probably, I don't know, going to watch my brother play. He is two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was big in your household, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, right? Tell me a little about that.

The athlete: Well we were three of us growing up. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those training periods? Because I learned that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he conducted exercises with you in the yard.

James: Yes, I remember - the drills started young. Thankfully, they paid off for me and my sibling [Chelsea and England attacker Lauren James].

Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you represented as a child, its name, and your memories?

The defender: My recollection is limited, frankly. That was the local team in Kew. I think I played for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

Kelly: And you weren't a backline player at first, were you? Explain about your role evolution and how that changed...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left wing, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at right-back, 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 one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You said you began as a forward - who was your role model?

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

The host: Identify a turning point in your professional life - an experience that has shaped you 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 likely what most players making the jump find challenging.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, naturally. Why was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? The location was miles away from everything you knew in the capital - why did it work so well?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and family and had to mature quickly. Playing on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

The interviewer: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your professional journey?

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is almost sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has played at elite standard for many years. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he joined and still does, even now he is not here [having left Chelsea in 2024].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I perceived alternatively and attempt and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly nice to see him this summer [during the tournament]?

Reece: It was great to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: If you could return and experience again one match in your career, what would you choose?

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

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