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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program in which leading personalities from athletics and entertainment participate with presenter Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive dialogues about football.

We'll explore mindset and drive, discussing defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series uncovers the person 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.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in impressive fashion, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights so far include making his international bow against Wales in 2020, claiming the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

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

James sat down with the interviewer to talk about his career highs, 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 what's your coffee order?

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

The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, such as, vanilla lattes and stuff.

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

The defender: Essentially, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't the most academic student, and I simply adored the sport.

Kelly: Your first recollection of participating? Is this tough to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and development?

James: Not particularly, just because my memory is quite poor. My first remembrance was likely, I don't know, attending matches of my sibling compete. He's my senior by two years than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a soccer trainer too, right? Tell me a bit about that.

The athlete: Well there was three children growing up. It was all football mad, and he obviously was a trainer as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

The presenter: Can you recall a lot of those sessions? Because I read that as young as the age of four, you practiced outdoors and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the training began early. Fortunately, they paid off for me and my sister [the club and national team forward Lauren James].

Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a child, what was it called, and your memories?

Reece: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in the area. I think 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, were you? Talk to me about your positional journey and how that changed...

Reece: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left wing, right wing, and eventually to midfield, and then finally at defensive role, and I hated it at that period.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Since I always wanted to occupy central positions. There was less involvement with the ball as much but eventually everything fell into place and I became a defender since.

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

Reece: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a supporter during youth and he represented the player I admired.

The host: Can you think of a turning point in your career - a moment that has shaped you and the professional you have become?

Reece: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Bridging the gap between academy and senior level is the hardest and that is probably what most players transitioning upwards find challenging.

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

Reece: The first thing is that I played week in week out, which helps. I acquired valuable exposure - I moved away from my friends and relatives and had to mature fast. Participating on a regular schedule helped a lot.

Kelly: Who has had the greatest influence on your professional journey?

The athlete: I would say [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is almost old enough to be my dad and has competed at elite standard for many years. He always tried to help me from the minute he arrived and continues to, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he help you?

James: It was small pieces of advice off the pitch. On the pitch, he would sometimes see things that I perceived alternatively and try and offer alternative perspectives.

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

Reece: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's consistently positive to see him.

Kelly: If you could go back and replay a single game in your career, which would you pick?

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

The host: Besides winning, what was so special about the occasion