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

We'll explore mindset and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, career highlights and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the person beyond the player.

Reece James began training with Chelsea at six years old and - having progressed through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, scoring on his first appearance in a comprehensive win over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements to date include earning his England debut against the Welsh team in the year 2020, winning the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being named team skipper 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, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: name, your origins, and your preferred coffee?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in the area, near Richmond - I expect many will know that location. My coffee is a specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

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

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

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

The interviewer: Your first recollection of participating? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a big part of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: No, simply due to my recollection is quite poor. My first remembrance was probably, unsure, going to watch my sibling play. He's two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was big in your family, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a football coach too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

The athlete: So there was three children during childhood. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those training periods? Since I learned that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the yard.

James: Yes, I recall - the drills began early. Thankfully, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and England forward his sister].

Kelly: Tell me about your initial club that you represented as a youngster, its name, and what can you remember?

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. It was the local team in Kew. I think I was there for about twelve months. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

The host: And you weren't a backline player at initially, correct? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...

James: I began as a striker, and then eventually moved to the wing, left wing, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: Since I consistently desired to occupy central positions. 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 idol?

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

The host: Identify a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between youth and first-team football is most challenging and that is likely what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. Why was Wigan the right club for you at the time? The location was miles away from all you knew in the capital - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The first thing is that I featured consistently, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I relocated from my companions and family and had to mature fast. Playing on a consistent basis assisted significantly.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the biggest impact on your career?

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is nearly sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has played at elite standard for so long. He always tried to help me from the moment he joined and continues to, even now he is departed [having left Chelsea in 2024].

The host: In what way would he help you?

James: It was little messages away from games. On the pitch, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw alternatively and attempt and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: 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 the champions Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to see him.

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

Reece: Assuming the result is going to be the identical - it would be the Champions League [final].

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