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This Sports Conversation constitutes a new series in which prominent figures from sports and entertainment participate with host Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive discussions about football.

We'll explore mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. The Football Interview uncovers the individual behind the athlete.

Reece James began training with the London club at six years old and - having progressed through the youth system and into the senior squad - is now club captain.

James announced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements to date include earning his international bow against the Welsh team in the year 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being appointed club captain in 2023.

However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss his professional peaks, 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 your preferred coffee?

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

Kelly: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

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

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

Reece: Essentially, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to respond to because it was such a big part of your early years and development?

James: Not particularly, just because my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, I don't know, going to watch my brother play. He is my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

Kelly: It was big in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

Reece: So we were three children growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

Kelly: Can you recall many of those sessions? Because I read that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he was doing exercises with you in the yard.

Reece: Yeah, I remember - the drills began early. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sister [Chelsea and England forward his sister].

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

Reece: I don't remember much, to be honest. It was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I played for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at first, were you? Explain about your role evolution and its development...

James: I started off as a forward, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left side, right wing, and later to central positions, and then eventually at right-back, and I disliked it at the time.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

The athlete: 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 became a right-back since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you began as an attacker - who was your role model?

James: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he was the player I admired.

The host: Identify a turning point in your career - a moment that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?

The defender: I would probably say the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is most challenging and this represents likely what many athletes transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, of course. Why did Wigan become the right club for you at that period? It was distant from everything you were familiar with in London - why did it work so well?

James: The primary factor is that I featured consistently, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and family and had to mature fast. Playing on a consistent basis helped a lot.

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

Reece: I would say [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He is almost sufficiently experienced to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for so long. He consistently attempted to help me from the minute he joined and continues to, presently he is not here [having left Chelsea in that year].

Kelly: In what way would he help you?

Reece: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he would sometimes observe situations that I saw differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

The presenter: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him recently [during the tournament]?

The defender: It was great to see him again. I'm happy that his club did well in the competition [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

The interviewer: Were you able to return and experience again a single game in your professional history, which would you pick?

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

The host: Besides winning, what made it exceptional about the occasion