Reece James
From TheChels.info - The Chelsea Football Club Wiki
| Reece James | |
| |
| Full Name | Reece Lewis James |
| Date of Birth | 8 December 1999 |
| Place of Birth | London |
| Position | Defender/Midfielder |
| Chelsea career | 2007 - |
| Debut | 25 September 2019 |
| Games (goals) | 213 (16) |
| Other clubs | Wigan Athletic (loan) |
Reece James is a defender who plays for Chelsea.
Contents |
Pre-Chelsea career
Reece joined Chelsea as an eight-year old.
Chelsea career
Reece made his Under-18 debut against West Ham United in March 2016 and quickly grew into a steady, reliable and unflappable presence in Jody Morris' youth team as a first-year scholar, missing just two matches en route to a treble success. He began the season as a right winger before settling into a full-back or wing-back role, and slotted comfortably into a Cesar Azpilicueta-esque centre-back position as the big games came late in the campaign.
A regular in the Development Squad in 2017-18, he also captained the Under-18s to a record fifth successive FA Youth Cup triumph whilst earning himself the club's Young Player of the Season award. In June 2018 he signed a new four-year contract and joined Wigan Athletic on loan. There, he was outstanding in every way, earning a clean sweep of club awards, proving himself in both defence and midfield, and earning a return to Chelsea and a promotion to the first-team squad. An ankle injury suffered in the Toulon Tournament set his debut back to September, but he subsequently earned himself a regular spot in manager Frank Lampard's plans.
2019–20 Season
James was integrated into Chelsea’s first team following his return from loan at Wigan Athletic. Under head coach Frank Lampard, he made his senior debut in the Premier League and quickly established himself as the club’s primary right-back. He featured regularly across league and cup competitions, contributing goals and assists and becoming one of the standout young players in the squad.
2020–21 Season
This season represented a major step forward in James’s career. Initially rotating during the early months, he became a key starter following Thomas Tuchel’s appointment in January 2021, particularly in a right wing-back role. James played an important part in Chelsea’s defensive solidity during the latter stages of the campaign and featured prominently in the club’s successful UEFA Champions League run.
2021–22 Season
James enjoyed arguably his most productive individual season. Operating as a wing-back, he recorded some of the best attacking numbers of his career. He played a key role in Chelsea’s victories in the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, and was widely regarded as one of the top right-backs in the Premier League.
2022–23 Season
The season was disrupted by recurring injuries, limiting James’s availability. When fit, he remained an automatic starter and was named club captain during the campaign. Despite Chelsea’s inconsistent league form, James continued to be recognised as one of the squad’s leaders, both tactically and in the dressing room.
2023–24 Season
Reece entered the season as Chelsea captain but endured another injury-affected campaign, missing extended periods of action. His appearances were carefully managed as the club prioritised long-term fitness. When available, he continued to captain the side and provide leadership in a transitional period under a new managerial setup.
2024–25 Season
Following rehabilitation and fitness management, James returned to regular involvement, though still with intermittent absences. He remained Chelsea’s captain and an integral figure in the squad, contributing experience and leadership as the club sought stability and consistency in domestic competitions.
International
Reece has represented England at every level up to Under-21, earning his first caps during April 2017's Under-18 tour to the Middle East, before then winning both the European Under-19 Championship and the Toulon Tournament later that summer.
Career statistics
Youth, Reserve and Under-21 Football
| Season | Under-18 | European | Dev Squad | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| 2015-16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2016-17 | 35 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 3 |
| 2017-18 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 26 | 4 | 43 | 4 |
| 2018-19 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2019-20 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 48 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 28 | 4 | 85 | 7 |
Senior Club Football
| Season | Prem | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| 2019-20 | 24 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 2 |
| 2020-21 | 32 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 1 |
| 2021-22 | 26 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 6 |
| 2022-23 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 2 |
| 2023-24 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 32 | 3 |
| 2025-26 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 2 |
| Total | 145 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 42 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 213 | 16 |
- Correct as of 31 December 2025"
Goals
| # | Season | Date | Year | Competition | Opponent | Score | Result | Venue |
| 1 | 2019-20 | 25 September | 2019 | League Cup | Grimsby Town | 5-1 | 7-1 | Stamford Bridge |
| 2 | 2019-20 | 05 November | 2019 | UEFA Champions League | Ajax | 4-4 | 4-4 | Stamford Bridge |
| 3 | 2020-21 | 14 September | 2020 | Premier League | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2-1 | 3-1 | the Amex |
| 4 | 2021-22 | 22 August | 2021 | Premier League | Arsenal | 2-0 | 2-0 | Emirates |
| 5 | 2021-22 | 23 October | 2021 | Premier League | Norwich City | 3-0 | 7-0 | Stamford Bridge |
| 6 | 2021-22 | 30 October | 2021 | Premier League | Newcastle United | 1-0 | 3-0 | St James' Park |
| 7 | 2021-22 | 30 October | 2021 | Premier League | Newcastle United | 2-0 | 3-0 | St James' Park |
| 8 | 2021-22 | 23 November | 2021 | UEFA Champions league | Juventus | 2-0 | 4-0 | Stamford Bridge |
| 9 | 2021-22 | 05 March | 2022 | Premier League | Burnley | 1-0 | 4-0 | Turf Moor |
| 10 | 2022-23 | 14 August | 2022 | Premier League | Tottenham Hotspur | 2-1 | 2-2 | Stamford Bridge |
| 11 | 2022-23 | 05 October | 2022 | UEFA Champions League | AC Milan | 3-0 | 3-0 | Stamford Bridge |
| 12 | 2024-25 | 14 January | 2025 | Premier League | Bournemouth | 2-2 | 2-2 | Stamford Bridge |
| 13 | 2024-25 | 06 March | 2025 | UEFA Conference League | Copenhagen | 1-0 | 2-1 | Parken Stadium |
| 14 | 2024-25 | 28 June | 2025 | FIFA Club World Cup | Benfica | 1-0 | 4-1 | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte |
| 15 | 2025-26 | 18 October | 2025 | Premier League | Nottingham Forest | 3-0 | 3-0 | City Ground |
| 16 | 2025-26 | 20 December | 2025 | Premier League | Newcastle United | 1-2 | 2-2 | St James' Park |
Career honours
- 2016-17 FA Youth Cup
- 2016-17 Under-18 Premier League
- 2017-18 FA Youth Cup
- 2017-18 Under-18 Premier League
- 2017 Toulon Tournament (England)
- 2017 European Under-19 Championships (England)
- Chelsea senior team
- UEFA Champions League: 2020-21
- UEFA Super Cup: 2021
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2021, 2025
- UEFA Conference League: 2024-25
| Current Squad |
|---|
| 1 Sanchez • 2 Disasi • 3 Cucurella • 5 Badiashile • 7 Sterling • 8 Enzo • 10 Mudryk • 10 Madueke • 13 Bettinelli • 14 Chalobah • 15 Jackson • 16 Ugochukwu • 17 Chukwuemeka • 18 Nkunku • 20 Palmer • 21 Chilwell • 23 Gallagher • 24 James • 25 Caicedo • 26 Colwill • 27 Gusto • 28 Petrovic • 31 Casadei • 33 Fofana • 42 Gilchrist • 45 Lavia Manager: Enzo Maresca |
