Dear six-year-old Reece,

I’ve got something to share with you. It’s big. A dream. You might not quite believe it. Not yet. There is still so much to come. Still so many experiences that need to shape you.

But you’re already on the path. Just stick to it. Stay focused. Work hard. Do what Dad tells you. He is doing what’s best…even when it doesn’t feel like it. Practice every day with Josh and Lauren in the park. Enjoy it. That’s important.

You’re already a Chelsea player. I know how much that means to you. It’s why you buy training kit for the sessions on Friday nights. You have that pride. You want to defend the badge. As you get older, there will be bags and bags of kit at home. Still, you will buy more. You’re a little obsessed.

Make sure to appreciate Mum. She is going to put in the hours. Training. Matches. All the travelling. She will always be there. She will help you become what you want to be. Other guys won’t have that support. They won’t make it. You will want to make her and the family proud.

It will not always be easy; there will be some who don’t appreciate that. They will just see Reece James, Chelsea player… Oh, yeah, you will become a first-team player. More than that, actually. I’ll get to it.

But the harsh lessons, the mistakes, you need those. It’s why I’m not going to tell you what to avoid. But when you reach secondary school, just consider what you’re eating. You’ll want to be like your mates. Eat what they eat. It can’t be like that. Dad will tell you.

It won’t help. It will create a challenge. There will be players at Chelsea who are ahead, and they will be offered contracts. It won’t be that simple for you. Do the work, the extras. Frank O’Brien will help you. He’s a good guy. And you will get that contract.

But you won’t be a striker. You won’t be the next Drogba. You’ll be learning how to play right-back…and you’re not going to like it. You’ll hate it, in fact. You’ll feel lonely on the pitch. You’ll feel like you’re not getting the ball. You’ll feel frustrated.

Stay patient. Listen to those around you. Do the work. One day, it will make sense. Right-back is your position. Once you realise that, there’s no looking back. Under-18s, you’re a winner. FA Youth Cup in 2017. FA Youth Cup in 2018. You will captain the side second time around. Lift the trophy at Arsenal, on their pitch. A special feeling.

Then you’re at Wigan – worth looking up where that is at some point – and you’ll be away from home and living on your own. Family and friends will visit, but you’ll grow-up fast.

That club will mean a lot to you, even after you’ve left. The people, the supporters, the coaches, the players, the atmosphere. You’ll be battling relegation most of the season, but everyone will be together. Everyone will be happy. It’s a proper team.

Paul Cook will give you the armband for the final game of the season. Captain of a loan club…that doesn’t happen. Understand that. It’s an honour. Something that will stay with you. The perfect goodbye.

Let’s talk Chelsea ­– and I’ve got to prepare you for something. The manager when you get that first-team chance, that opportunity you’re desperate for, is Frank Lampard. Yeah, that Frank Lampard. No.8. Chelsea legend.

He will give you the trust. The encouragement. The support. He will wait for you to get over an injury. Will hand you your first-team debut: Grimsby Town at home. What a feeling.

Family and friends will be there. So will 40,000 Chelsea supporters. That music will hit… You’ll walk out the tunnel… That moment…

You’ve dreamed about your debut. Pushed yourself to make it possible. But then it’ll be into work mode. Play the passes. Make the runs. Stop the winger. With about eight minutes left, take a shot from the edge of the area. See what happens. It’ll be worth it, I promise you.

Oh, I’ve got to tell you about Ajax. Crazy game. The Bridge is rocking. A Champions League comeback is on. The ball will fall to you in the box. Hit hard, far corner. The noise…incredible. The celebration…wild. It’s some night. You’ll love it.

Life changes for you. You’re no longer simply Reece James. You’re Reece James. People will recognise you. The press will write about you. Keep your focus on football, on family, on friends. They’ll always be there. They’ll be there in Porto…

That word means something different now. It’s a night. It’s a moment. People remember where they were for Porto. Let me explain…

Nobody saw it coming but Chelsea will reach the 2021 Champions League final. You’ll be starting at wing-back. Manchester City the opponents. They’re favourites. Whatever, that doesn’t bother you.

You’ll have some nerves. That’s natural. You know the reality: some players play a final and then never come close to that trophy again. But those nerves will fade as you get into the game.

You’ll watch Mason Mount find Kai Havertz. Time will slow in that moment as he goes around the goalkeeper. Then comes the roar as the ball hits the net. A goal just before half time. Perfect.

That second half, though. City will put on pressure. You’ll be looking at the clock. Thirty minutes to go. Twenty minutes to go. Ten minutes to go. Five minutes. Almost there.

In the final moments, the ball will fall to Riyad Mahrez. I can’t explain what you’ll feel as his shot flies toward our goal. You’ll watch…and luck will be on our side. Then, full time. Chelsea: Champions League winners again.

You’re a European champion at 21 years old. Enjoy it. Share the moment with the family – they have helped you to this point. They are proud.

More silverware will come. Enjoy that too. These are the memories you’ll work hard to create, that you’ll sacrifice for. And you’ll learn that football can also be cruel. That it can pull you down.

The 2022 World Cup, you’ll feel ready, your form will be good. You’ll surely be on the plane. But then one twist of your right knee and it all changes. Honestly, you’ll work so hard, push yourself through the rehab. You’ll almost be there. You’ll feel as if you can go.

But Gareth Southgate will feel it’s too big of a risk – and you’ll respect that decision. And, I’ll be honest, defending Kylian Mbappe in the quarter-finals of the World Cup after eight weeks out…that’s not something you want.

Injuries are part of football; that won’t make them any easier. And the six months after your 23rd birthday, they stalk you. You do the recovery, get back, and then suffer another. It’s mentally draining. It will be one of the toughest points of your career. You know who will be there to help. You know who will lift you up.

Ready for the reveal now? That dream I mentioned at the start. You’ll have done so much by this point, celebrated so much success, but this is different. How could it not be?

At 23 years old, you will be named captain of Chelsea. What comes after that, it’s not been written. But know one thing…

Whatever dream you have, it can come true.

Good luck,

Reece