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This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program where prominent figures from sports and show business join host the interviewer for frank and detailed dialogues about the beautiful game.

We'll explore mindset and drive, covering defining moments, professional achievements and individual insights. This series uncovers the person behind the player.

Reece James started training with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, scoring on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include earning his England debut against Wales in the year 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 multiple fitness issues affecting him over the past four seasons.

James sat down with the interviewer to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: Initial inquiry: name, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I was raised in the area, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that location. My coffee is a flat white.

The host: Was it consistently a flat white?

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

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

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored the sport.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this tough to answer because it represented a big part of your childhood and growing up?

James: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, going to watch my sibling play. He's two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

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

The athlete: So we were three children during childhood. We were all football mad, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Since I learned that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yeah, I remember - the drills began early. Thankfully, they paid off for me and my sibling [the club and national team attacker his sister].

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

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

The host: You didn't start as a defender at first, correct? Explain about your positional journey and how that changed...

Reece: I started off as a forward, and then subsequently transitioned to the wing, left wing, right wing, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I disliked it at that period.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the football as much but one day everything fell into place and I became a defender since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you started as a forward - who was your idol?

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

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

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Transitioning between youth and first-team football is the hardest and this represents likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

Kelly: You're referring to the club, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at that period? The location was distant from all you knew in the capital - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played consistently, which proves beneficial. I gained valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and relatives and was forced to grow up fast. Playing on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

Kelly: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] Thiago Silva. He's almost old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for so long. He always tried to help me from the moment he arrived and still does, presently he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

James: These were little messages off the pitch. On the pitch, he occasionally observe situations that I perceived differently and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It must have been nice to see him this summer [during the tournament]?

The defender: It proved wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club did well in the competition [they were defeated in the penultimate round to eventual winners Chelsea]. It is always good to encounter him.

The interviewer: Were you able to go back and replay one match in your career, which would you pick?

James: Assuming the result is remains the identical - I'd select the European Cup decider.

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