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The Football Interview represents a new series in which leading personalities from athletics and show business join presenter the interviewer for frank and comprehensive discussions about football.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, discussing pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. The Football Interview reveals the individual beyond the player.

The Chelsea defender began training with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include making his international bow against the Welsh team in 2020, claiming the European Cup with his club in 2021, and being named club captain in 2023.

Nevertheless, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues impacting him over the past four seasons.

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

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: identity, your origins, 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 specific coffee type.

Kelly: Has it always been 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?

The defender: I mean, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in school. I wasn't exactly the brightest kid, and I just loved playing football.

Kelly: Your first recollection of playing? Is this tough to answer because it was such a significant aspect of your early years and development?

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

Kelly: It was significant in your family, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a football coach too, right? Share with me a little about that.

Reece: So there was three of us during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced extensively with him.

The presenter: Do you remember a lot of those sessions? Since I read that starting from the age of four, you were outside and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I recall - the training began early. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sibling [Chelsea and England attacker Lauren James].

The interviewer: Talk to me about your initial club that you played for as a youngster, what was it called, and what can you remember?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I was there for about twelve months. From that point that talent spotters noticed me for Chelsea.

Kelly: And you weren't a backline player at first, correct? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I began as a forward, and then eventually moved to wide positions, left side, right side, and eventually to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as much but one day everything fell into place and I've been a defender since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you began as a forward - who served as your idol?

James: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan during youth and he was the player I looked up to.

Kelly: Identify a turning point in your career - an experience that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

Reece: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is most challenging and that is likely what many athletes making the jump find difficult.

The presenter: You're referring to the club, of course. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at the time? It was distant from everything you were familiar with in London - why did it work so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I played week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and family and was forced to mature fast. Playing on a regular schedule assisted significantly.

The interviewer: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?

Reece: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He's nearly old enough to be my dad and has competed at the highest level for so long. He always tried to assist 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 assist you?

James: It was little messages away from games. During matches, he occasionally observe situations that I saw differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

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

The defender: It proved wonderful to see him again. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the tournament [they were defeated in the semi-finals to eventual winners his team]. It is consistently positive to encounter him.

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

Reece: If the outcome is remains the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].

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