Reece James (footballer, born 1999)
{{short description|English footballer (born 1999)}}
{{for|the other English footballer|Reece James (footballer, born 1993)}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Reece James
| image = Reece James in 2021.jpg
| caption = James playing for Chelsea in 2021
| full_name = Reece Lewis James{{cite web |url=https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0280-17b435f4337c-781b62e2f080-1000/ucl_bookinglist_before_qf_1st_leg.pdf |title=UEFA Champions League 2022/2023 Booking List before Quarter-finals, 1st leg |publisher=UEFA |date=5 April 2023 |access-date=4 August 2023}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|12|8|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/14571/Reece-James/overview |title=Reece James: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=10 June 2022}}
| birth_place = Redbridge, London, England
| height = {{convert|1.79|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/teams/profile/reece-james |title=Reece James |publisher=Chelsea F.C. |access-date=11 November 2022}}
| position = Right-back{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1803539 |title=FPL breakout stars: Reece James |publisher=Premier League |date=3 September 2020 |access-date=10 October 2020}}
| currentclub = Chelsea
| clubnumber = 24
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Kew Park Rangers
| youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2006
| youthclubs2 = Epsom Eagles
| youthyears3 = 2006–2007
| youthclubs3 = Chelsea
| youthyears4 = 2007–2008
| youthclubs4 = Fulham
| youthyears5 = 2008–2018
| youthclubs5 = Chelsea
| years1 = 2018–
| clubs1 = Chelsea
| caps1 = 123
| goals1 = 8
| years2 = 2018–2019
| clubs2 = → Wigan Athletic (loan)
| caps2 = 45
| goals2 = 3
| nationalyears1 = 2017
| nationalteam1 = England U18
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2017–2018
| nationalteam2 = England U19
| nationalcaps2 = 7
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2017–2019
| nationalteam3 = England U20
| nationalcaps3 = 12
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2019
| nationalteam4 = England U21
| nationalcaps4 = 2
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| nationalyears5 = 2020–
| nationalteam5 = England
| nationalcaps5 = 18
| nationalgoals5 = 1
| club-update = 20:20, 1 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 23:30, 24 March 2025 (UTC)
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|ENG}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|UEFA European Under-19 Championship}}
{{MedalCompetition|UEFA European Championship}}
{{Medal|RU|2020|}}
}}
Reece Lewis James (born 8 December 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back for {{English football updater|Chelsea}} club Chelsea, which he captains, and the England national team.
James joined the Chelsea academy as a youth and turned professional in 2017, a season where he captained the under-18s to victory in the FA Youth Cup and was named Academy Player of the Season. A productive loan spell with Wigan Athletic of the Championship saw him promoted to the Chelsea first team upon his return in 2019. He won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup with the club in 2021, and was appointed captain in 2023.
After representing England at various youth levels, James made his senior debut in 2020, and went on to appear at UEFA Euro 2020.
Early life
James was born in Redbridge, Greater London,{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/reece-james-254515/ |title=Reece James |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=10 October 2020}} and attended Isleworth and Syon School.{{cite web |url=https://www.isleworthsyon.org/2019/10/reece/ |title=Alumni: Reece James Makes Chelsea Debut |date=17 October 2019 |publisher=Isleworth & Syon School |access-date=28 February 2020}} He is from a family all involved in football. His sister Lauren is also a professional footballer{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/brother-and-sister-who-are-giving-dad-a-very-difficult-decision-to-make-tstgdbwls |title=Brother and sister who are giving dad a very difficult decision to make |first=Alyson |last=Rudd |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=3 November 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49866712 |title=Lauren and Reece James score goals in same week |website=BBC Sport |date=28 September 2019}} and signed for Chelsea Women in July 2021.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66079219|title='I don't want to be known as Reece James' sister'|work=BBC Sport |date=7 July 2023 }}{{cite web |title=Lauren James joins Chelsea Women |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/07/23/lauren-james-joins-chelsea-women |publisher=Chelsea F.C.}} Their father Nigel is a football coach.{{Cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2020/jun/19/nigel-james-fathers-day-piece-190620 |title=Nigel James hoping for a restful Father's Day watching son Reece with daughter Lauren |first=The Football |last=Association |publisher=The Football Association}} He is of Grenadian and Dominican descent through his father, and English descent through his mother.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/womens-sport/2021/03/25/many-siblings-play-elite-football-living-dream-say-lauren-reece/|title=Meet Lauren and Reece James: 'How many siblings play elite football? We're living a dream'|first=Fadumo|last=Olow|newspaper=The Telegraph |date=25 March 2021|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ucfb.ac.uk/news/flying-the-flags-the-influence-of-the-caribbean-on-england-s-euros-teams/|title=Flying the flags: The influence of the Caribbean on England's Euros teams|date=21 July 2024|website=www.ucfb.ac.uk}}
Club career
=Early career=
File:Reece James.jpg in 2017]]
Starting his grassroots playing career at Kew Park Rangers and Epsom Eagles, James signed with Chelsea at the age of six,{{cite web |title=Reece James' grassroots story |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2023/Mar/03/Reece-James-Grassroots-Story |date=3 March 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230309150331/https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2023/Mar/03/Reece-James-Grassroots-Story |archive-date=9 March 2023 |website=englandfootball.com |last=James |first=Reece}} and had a short spell at West London rivals Fulham when he was seven.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59431496 |title=Chelsea: Father of Reece and Lauren James on his children's rise to football stardom |archive-date=12 March 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230312145549/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59431496 |first=Harry |last=De Cosemo |date=27 November 2021 |access-date=27 November 2021 |website=BBC Sport}} He played as a striker idolizing Didier Drogba in his early teens, but was moved to the midfield, and later to a right-back position where he struggled at first. He turned professional with Chelsea in March 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/teams/academy/reece-james |title=Profile |access-date=7 November 2018 |publisher=Chelsea F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327122524/https://www.chelseafc.com/en/teams/academy/reece-james |archive-date=27 March 2019}} During the 2017–18 season he captained the under-18s to win the FA Youth Cup and was named Academy Player of the Season. He signed a new four-year contract with the club in June 2018.
In June 2018, James joined Championship club Wigan Athletic on loan for the 2018–19 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44631267 |title=Reece James: Wigan Athletic sign Chelsea full-back on season-long loan |website=BBC Sport |date=27 June 2018 |access-date=27 June 2018}} He made his first-team debut on 4 August, starting in Wigan's first game of the season, helping his side to a 3–2 home victory over Sheffield Wednesday.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44989047 |title=Wigan Athletic 3–2 Sheffield Wednesday |website=BBC Sport |date=4 August 2018 |access-date=4 August 2018}} He scored his first goal for Wigan on 4 November, scoring the first goal with a free kick in the sixth minute of a 2–1 home loss to Leeds United.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46007116 |title=Wigan Athletic 1–2 Leeds United |website=BBC Sport |date=4 November 2018 |access-date=4 November 2018}} In March 2019, he was selected to the 2018–19 Championship Team of the Season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47710254 |title=EFL awards: Che Adams, Teemu Pukki & Billy Sharp on Championship shortlist |website=BBC Sport |date=26 March 2019 |access-date=28 March 2019}} He won three awards at Wigan Athletic's end of season awards, including Player of the Year.{{cite web |url=https://www.wiganathletic.com/news/2019/may/reece-james-scoops-trio-of-awards-at-wigan-athletic-end-of-season-party-in-the-park/ |title=Reece James scoops trio of awards at Wigan Athletic end of season party in the park |publisher=Wigan Athletic F.C. |date=6 May 2019 |access-date=7 May 2019}}
=2019–2021: First-team breakthrough and UEFA Champions League title=
On 25 September 2019, James made his debut for Chelsea after returning from injury. He scored his first goal and assisted two in a 7–1 win over Grimsby Town in the third round of the 2019–20 EFL Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49736854 |title=Chelsea 7–1 Grimsby Town: Reece James impresses on debut |website=BBC Sport |date=25 September 2019 |access-date=26 September 2019}} James became Chelsea's youngest ever goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League when he scored the fourth goal of their 4–4 comeback draw with Ajax on 5 November.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50294383 |title=Chelsea 4–4 Ajax: Champions League thriller ends in stunning draw |website=BBC Sport |date=5 November 2019 |access-date=7 November 2019}} He signed a long-term contract extension with Chelsea on 16 January 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/01/16/reece-james-agrees-new-long-term-chelsea-deal |title=Reece James agrees new long-term Chelsea deal |publisher=Chelsea F.C. |date=16 January 2020 |access-date=16 January 2020}}
On 14 September 2020, James scored his first Premier League goal, in a 3–1 win for Chelsea against Brighton & Hove Albion.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54052535 |title=Brighton 1–3 Chelsea: Frank Lampard impressed with Chelsea debutants |website=BBC Sport |date=14 September 2020 |access-date=15 September 2020}} On 5 December, James made his 50th appearance for Chelsea in all competitions in the club's 3–1 league win over Leeds United.{{cite web |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/12/04/chelsea-vs-leeds---the-stats |title=Chelsea vs Leeds – The Stats |publisher=Chelsea F.C. |date=5 December 2020|access-date=7 December 2020}}
In January 2021, James was subject to racist abuse online.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55866503 |title=Chelsea 'disgusted' by James abuse |website=BBC Sport |date=30 January 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/01/29/statement-on-racist-abuse |title=Statement on racist abuse |publisher=Chelsea F.C. |date=29 January 2021|access-date=4 February 2021}} In March, he deleted his Instagram account in response to the abuse he received.{{Cite web |title=Reece James Deletes His Instagram Account Due To Stream Of Hateful Abuse |url=https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news-reece-james-deletes-instagram-account-due-to-stream-of-hateful-abuse-20210310 |access-date=27 May 2021 |website=SPORTbible |archive-date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004034153/https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news-reece-james-deletes-instagram-account-due-to-stream-of-hateful-abuse-20210310 |url-status=dead }} On 29 May, James won his first-ever Champions League as Chelsea won 1–0 against Manchester City in the final in Porto.{{Cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0269-12650cedca55-37515f69768e-1000--report-chelsea-claim-second-title/ |title=Man. City 0–1 Chelsea: Havertz gives Blues second Champions League triumph |publisher=UEFA |date=29 May 2021 |access-date=29 May 2021}}
=2021–2023: Injury issues=
On 28 August 2021, James was sent off at the end of the first half of a 1–1 draw against Liverpool due to a handball incident.{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/reece-james-red-card-handball-chelsea-vs-liverpool-b952821.html |title=Reece James red card: Chelsea FC defender sent off vs Liverpool for handball |newspaper=Evening Standard |location=London |date=28 August 2021 |access-date=28 August 2021}} He scored two goals in the second half of a 3–0 win over Newcastle United at St James' Park on 30 October.{{Cite news |url=https://www.premierleague.com/match/66437 |title=James double increases Chelsea's lead at the top |newspaper=Evening Standard |location=London |date=30 October 2021 |access-date=30 October 2021}} At the end of the season James was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.{{Cite web |url=https://theathletic.com/news/pfa-young-player-award-saka-james-foden/YpeyfrXOTy9i/ |title=PFA men's young player of the year: Bukayo Saka, Reece James and Phil Foden up for award |website=The Athletic |date=1 June 2022 |access-date=1 June 2022}}
On 5 September 2022, James signed a new six-year contract with Chelsea, committing to the club until June 2028.{{Cite web |title=New long-term Chelsea deal for Reece James |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/new-long-term-deal-for-james |access-date=5 September 2022 |publisher=Chelsea F.C.}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62795896 |title=James signs new six-year contract at Chelsea |work=BBC Sport |date=5 September 2022 }} His performances were praised in October 2022,{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63153370 |title='James' quality reduced to England footnote' |work=BBC Sport |date=5 October 2022 }} although later that month he suffered a knee injury,{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63220723 |title=James gives Southgate more right-back worries |work=BBC Sport |date=11 October 2022 }} and had to see a specialist doctor.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63260342 |title=James to see a specialist over knee injury |work=BBC Sport |date=14 October 2022 }} He was injured on his first game back, on 27 December 2022, being substituted after 53 minutes.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64105840|title=Potter has 'fingers crossed' over James injury|work=BBC Sport |date=27 December 2022 }} he was ruled out of play for a further four weeks.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64108507|title=James out for up to four weeks with knee injury|work=BBC Sport |date=28 December 2022 }} On 25 April 2023, Chelsea announced that James would miss the rest of the season with a hamstring problem.{{Cite news |title=Chelsea's James ruled out for rest of season |website=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65385578 |access-date=25 April 2023}}
=2023–present: Assuming the captaincy and further injuries=
Following the departure of César Azpilicueta, James was named club captain of Chelsea on 9 August 2023.{{cite web |title=Reece James named Chelsea captain |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/reece-james-named-chelsea-captain |website=Chelsea F.C. |access-date=9 August 2023 |date=9 August 2023}} He suffered a hamstring injury early in the season,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66544307|title=Chelsea's James to miss 'a few weeks' with injury|work=BBC Sport |date=18 August 2023 }} which re-occurred in November 2023 after he returned to play.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67791223|title=Chelsea's James has surgery on hamstring injury|work=BBC Sport |date=21 December 2023 }} In late December 2023, he had surgery to fix the recurring hamstring injury.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67791223 |title=Reece James: Chelsea captain has surgery on hamstring injury |website=BBC Sport |date=22 December 2023 |access-date=10 January 2024}} James returned on 11 May 2024 as a substitute against Nottingham Forest, providing the game-winning assist to Nicolas Jackson in the 3–2 victory at City Ground.{{Cite web |last=Kinsella |first=Nizaar |date=12 May 2024 |title=James makes Champions League claim after starring on Chelsea comeback |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-fc-reece-james-champions-league-b1157204.html |access-date=12 May 2024 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}
He received a red card in the penultimate match of the 2023–24 season, meaning he would miss the first 3 games of the 2024–25 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cy005kd0r4go|title=Reece James: FA rejects Chelsea appeal against four-match ban|date=3 June 2024|website=BBC Sport}}
James began the 2024–25 season with a number of injuries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-reece-james-injury-update-liverpool-b2631625.html|title=Chelsea handed boost as Enzo Maresca provides Reece James injury update|date=18 October 2024|website=The Independent}} After returning to play in October 2024, James was criticised by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca for a lack of effort.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c624m7jkyp2o|title=Reece James: Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca demands more from Blues captain|date=25 October 2024|website=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/oct/25/chelsea-enzo-maresca-reece-james-leadership|title=Chelsea's Maresca 'expected more' leadership from injured Reece James|first=Dan|last=Ludlam|date=25 October 2024|newspaper=The Guardian}} He suffered a further hamstring injury in November 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c1wjyq2g5zxo|title=Reece James injury: Chelsea captain has another hamstring problem says Enzo Maresca|date=21 November 2024|website=BBC Sport}} He returned to play in January 2025, scoring a goal on his first Premier League game back.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c203n5r2vjvo|title=Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth: Reece James makes the headlines with goal on Prem return|date=14 January 2025|website=BBC Sport}} James said his time injured had been "lonely and frustrating".{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9vmnwrwn7do|title=Reece James: Chelsea defender shakes off 'lonely and frustrating' injuries to score equaliser|date=14 January 2025|website=BBC Sport}}
International career
=Youth=
James has represented England at youth level from under-18 up to under-21.{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/matchrsl/MatchRslTmU19pg2.html |title=England Football Online – under-19 |access-date=17 January 2019 |website=England Football Online}}{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/matchrsl/MatchRslTmU20.html |title=England Football Online – under-20 |access-date=17 January 2019 |website=England Football Online}}{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/matchrsl/MatchRslTmU21pg4.html |title=England Football Online – under-21 |access-date=17 January 2019 |website=England Football Online}} In May 2017, James was included in the under-20 squad for the 2017 Toulon Tournament.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/may/16/england-squad-named-for-toulon-160517 |title=Toulon squad selected |date=16 May 2017 |access-date=5 August 2018 |publisher=The Football Association}} He started in the final as England beat the Ivory Coast to retain their title.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/jun/10/england-v-ivory-coast-report-100617 |title=Spot on Young Lions hold their nerve to retain Toulon Tournament title |publisher=The Football Association |date=10 June 2017 |access-date=5 August 2018}} In July, James was part of the under-19 squad that won the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40619862 |title=European Under-19 Championship: England beat Portugal in final |website=BBC Sport |date=15 July 2017 |access-date=5 August 2018}} He started in the semi-final against the Czech Republic.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/jul/12/england-u19s-czech-republic-semi-final-report-120717 |title=England U19s 1–0 Czech Republic |date=12 July 2017 |access-date=5 August 2018 |publisher=The Football Association}}
James was a member of the under-20 squad that travelled to the 2019 Toulon Tournament and was carried off on a stretcher with ankle ligament damage during the first half of the final group game defeat to Chile on 7 June 2019.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2019/jun/07/england-u20s-chile-report-070619 |title=Young Lions suffer a third defeat in Toulon after two late goals turn game around |publisher=The Football Association |date=7 June 2019 |access-date=11 June 2019}} On 4 October, James was included in the under-21 squad for the first time.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2019/oct/04/england-u21s-squad-named-for-slovenia-and-austria-031019 |title=Aidy Boothroyd picks HIS MU21S squad to play Slovenia and Austria this month |publisher=The Football Association |date=4 October 2019 |access-date=6 October 2019}} He made his under-21 debut during the 3–0 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification victory away to Albania on 15 November.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2019/nov/15/england-mu21s-albania-report-151119 |title=Goals from Phil Foden, Conor Gallagher and Reiss Nelson see MU21S to win in Albania |publisher=The Football Association |date=15 November 2019 |access-date=17 November 2019}}
=Senior=
On 5 October 2020, James was called up for the first time to the senior team by manager Gareth Southgate following an injury to Raheem Sterling.{{Cite news |date=5 October 2020 |title=Reece James earns maiden senior England call-up |publisher=Chelsea F.C. |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/10/05/reece-james-earns-maiden-senior-england-call-up |access-date=5 October 2020}} He made his debut on 8 October at Wembley Stadium, coming on as a 58th-minute substitute for Kieran Trippier in a 3–0 win over Wales.{{Cite news |date=9 October 2020 |title=England 3–0 Wales |website=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54366319 |access-date=9 October 2020}}{{Cite web |date=9 October 2020 |title=James makes England debut |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/10/08/james-makes-england-debut--batshuayi-bags-belgium-goal |access-date=9 October 2020 |publisher=Chelsea F.C.}} He was sent off for dissent after the final whistle in his second start, against Denmark.{{cite news |date=15 October 2020 |title=Why James received a red card after England's defeat by Denmark |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/england-vs-denmark-nations-league-results-reece-james-red-card-sent-off-b1043689.html |access-date=18 January 2021 |newspaper=The Independent |location=London}} James was named in the 26-man England squad for Euro 2020.{{Cite news |date=1 June 2021 |title=Euro 2020: Trent Alexander-Arnold named in England's 26-man squad |website=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57321188 |url-status=live |access-date=7 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601214201/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57321188 |archive-date=1 June 2021}} At Euro 2020, James started in the 0–0 draw against Scotland.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51197603 |title=England 0–0 Scotland |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=18 June 2021 |access-date=16 August 2022}}
In November 2021, he said that he was in the best form of his career, and that he hoped to become England's first-choice right-back.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59226585 |title=I'm performing at my best – James |work=BBC Sport |date=9 November 2021 }}
In October 2022, following a knee injury sustained playing for Chelsea in the Champions League against AC Milan, James was ruled out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63273316 |title=James set to miss World Cup with knee injury |work=BBC Sport |date=15 October 2022 }} He later stated he was "devastated" to be excluded from the England squad.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63567613 |title=England defender Reece James says he is 'devastated' to miss World Cup with knee injury |last=Alistair |first=Magowan |website=BBC Sport |date=9 November 2022 |access-date=9 November 2022}}
In November 2023, following injury, he said he wanted to return to the England squad,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67383883 |title=James 'desperate' to be in England squad – Pochettino |author=Alex Howell |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 November 2023 |access-date=11 November 2023}} after England manager Gareth Southgate said James's Euro 2024 squad position was at risk.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/nov/09/reece-james-gareth-southgate-england-euro-2024-risk |title=Reece James' Euro 2024 spot at risk after he opts out of qualifiers, says Southgate |first=David|last=Hytner|date=9 November 2023|newspaper=The Guardian}}
On 24 March 2025, James scored his first ever senior international goal in a 3–0 victory over Latvia during 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
Personal life
In August 2020, James made a personal donation and posted a link on his social media accounts to a Crowdfunder site which was looking to boost Wigan's funds; in a bid to save his former loan club. He wrote in the post 'Come on let's help @laticsofficial out' in a bid to encourage others to follow.{{Cite web |title=Media Watch: Reece James helps drive to save Wigan, Harry Redknapp backs Frank Lampard to thrive under pressure, Didier Drogba may get election lifeline |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/08/31/media-watch--reece-james-helps-drive-to-save-wigan--harry-redkna |access-date=24 April 2022 |publisher=Chelsea F.C.}}
In January 2021, Marcus Rashford praised James, along with his teammate Mason Mount, for their "amazing" charitable work. James had spent the past 18 months volunteering with a London-based charity, The Felix Project.{{cite news |date=21 January 2021 |title=Marcus Rashford praises Reece James and Mason Mount for charity work |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/21/marcus-rashford-reece-james-mason-mount-charity-work-chelsea-manchester-united |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=24 April 2022}}
James credits his father, Nigel James, Chelsea youth team coaches Frank O'Brien, Joe Edwards, and Jody Morris as having major influence on his career.{{r|rjauto}} Reece and his sister Lauren are the first brother and sister to represent England at senior level in the modern era.{{Cite web |last=Association |first=The Football |title=Lauren James and Reece James: England's footballing siblings |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2022/Sep/03/lauren-james-reece-james-grassroots-story-20220903 |access-date=28 July 2023 |website=www.englandfootball.com |language=en}}
Style of play
His former manager at Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel, described him as "strong and influential".{{Cite web |title=Exclusive: Thomas Tuchel on Reece James' form and the end of a big week at Stamford Bridge |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/videos/v/2021/11/26/exclusive--thomas-tuchel-on-reece-james--form-and-the-end-of-a-b-pDv6ZiIv|access-date=23 January 2022|publisher=Chelsea F.C.}} For part of his career he had a wing-back partnership with Ben Chilwell at both club and international level.{{Cite web |title=Reece James and Ben Chilwell starring as Thomas Tuchel's wing-back system helps Chelsea shine at both ends |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/15116/12469530/reece-james-and-ben-chilwell-starring-as-thomas-tuchels-wing-back-system-helps-chelsea-shine-at-both-ends|last=Smith|first=Peter|date=20 November 2021|website=Sky Sports|access-date=23 January 2022}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 1 May 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|EFL Cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Chelsea U23/U21
|2016–17{{soccerbase season|99408|2016|access-date=10 October 2020}} |colspan="3"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 2017–18{{soccerbase season|99408|2017|access-date=10 October 2020}}
|colspan="3"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 1 | 6 | 1 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||7||1||7||1 | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="8"|Chelsea
|2018–19{{soccerbase season|99408|2018|access-date=10 October 2020}} |0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|99408|2019|access-date=10 October 2020}}
|Premier League |24 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 1 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 2 | |
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|99408|2020|access-date=11 November 2022}}
|Premier League |32 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 47 | 1 | ||
| 2021–22{{soccerbase season|99408|2021|access-date=11 November 2022}}
|Premier League |26 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=UCL}} | 1 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 6 | |
| 2022–23{{soccerbase season|99408|2022|access-date=25 November 2023}}
|Premier League |16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8{{efn|name=UCL}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 2 | ||
| 2023–24{{soccerbase season|99408|2023|access-date=10 December 2023}}
|Premier League |10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 0 | |||
| 2024–25{{soccerbase season|99408|2024|access-date=11 August 2024}}
|Premier League |15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Conference League}} | 1 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 2 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!123||8||14||0||7||1||35||4||0||0||179||13 | ||||||||||||
| Wigan Athletic (loan)
|45 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 46 | 3 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!168||11||15||0||7||1||35||4||7||1||232||17 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 24 March 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/reece-james_2/4|title=Reece James: Internationals |website=worldfootball.net|date=18 August 2023 |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL|access-date=25 November 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="5"|England
|2020 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 2 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total||18||1 |
{{updated|match played 24 March 2025}}
:England score listed first, score column indicates score after each James goal
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Reece James | ||||||||
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Cap !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition !scope="col" class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="text-align: center;"|1 | 24 March 2025 | Wembley Stadium, London, England | style="text-align: center;"|18 | {{fb|LAT}} | style="text-align: center;"|1–0 | style="text-align: center;"|3–0 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | style="text-align: center;"|{{cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2025/03/24/europe/wc-qualifying-europe/england/latvia/4571404/|title=England vs. Latvia 3–0: Summary|website=Soccerway|publisher=Perform Group|access-date=24 March 2025}} |
Honours
Chelsea U18
Chelsea
- UEFA Champions League: 2020–21{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57268064 |title=Manchester City 0–1 Chelsea |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2021 |access-date=11 November 2022}}
- UEFA Super Cup: 2021{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58157867 |title=Chelsea 1–1 Villarreal |first=Mark |last=Sterling |website=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2021 |access-date=11 November 2022}}
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2021{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60352740 |title=Chelsea 2–1 Palmeiras |website=BBC Sport |date=12 February 2022 |access-date=1 April 2024}}
{{cite web |url=https://tribuna.com/en/news/chelsea-2022-02-12-injured-james-chilwell-get-club-world-cup-medals/ |title=Injured James & Chilwell get Club World Cup medals |website=Tribuna.com |date=12 February 2022 |access-date=1 April 2024 |quote=Reece James and Ben Chilwell were unable to help their teammates in the Club World Cup due to injuries. But even without their first-choice wing-backs, Chelsea claimed the title and are now champions of the world. And both James and Chilwell received their Club World Cup medals!}} - FA Cup runner-up: 2019–20,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53546100 |title=Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=1 August 2020 |access-date=1 August 2020}} 2020–21,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57055571 |title=Chelsea 0–1 Leicester City |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2021 |access-date=16 May 2021}} 2021–22{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61429640 |title=Chelsea 0–0 Liverpool |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=14 May 2022 |access-date=14 May 2022}}
- EFL Cup runner-up: 2021–22{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60450274 |title=Chelsea 0–0 Liverpool |last=McNulty |first=Phil |website=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2022 |access-date=1 April 2024}}
England U19
England U20
- Toulon Tournament: 2017{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-news-reece-james-named-in-toulon-tournament-best-xi-for-england-triumph-a3563406.html |title=Chelsea defender Reece James named in Toulon best XI after England victory |newspaper=Evening Standard |location=London |date=12 June 2017 |access-date=23 March 2019}}
England
- UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2020{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51198762 |title=England lose shootout in Euro 2020 final |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=11 July 2021 |access-date=11 July 2021}}
Individual
- Toulon Tournament Best XI: 2017{{Cite web |title=Hirst named in Team of the Tournament |url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2017/june/hirst-named-in-team-of-the-tournament/ |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=www.swfc.co.uk |language=en-gb}}
- Chelsea Academy Player of the Year: 2017–18
- Wigan Athletic Player of the Year: 2018–19
- Wigan Athletic Player's Player of the Year: 2018–19
- Wigan Athletic Goal of the Season: 2018–19
- FA Cup Team of the Year: 2020–21{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/EmiratesFACup/status/1399410349376344071 |title=Here is the #EmiratesFACup Team of the Competition, as voted by you! 🤩 4️⃣ @LCFC 3️⃣ @ChelseaFC 1️⃣ @hashtagutd 1️⃣ @ManUtd 1️⃣ @MarineAFC 1️⃣ @TauntonTownFC Led by Brendan Rodgers 🦊 |via=Twitter |publisher=Emirates FA Cup |date=1 June 2021|access-date=2 June 2021}}
- PFA Community Champion Award: 2020–21{{Cite web |title=James and Telford awarded PFA Community Champions |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/06/04/james-and-telford-awarded-pfa-community-champions |publisher=Chelsea F.C. |date=4 June 2021|access-date=6 August 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.chelseafc.com/en/teams/profile/reece-james Profile] at the Chelsea F.C. website
- [https://www.englandfootball.com/england/mens-senior-team/squad/reece-james Profile] at the Football Association website
- {{UEFA player}}
{{Chelsea F.C. squad}}
{{England squad UEFA Euro 2020}}
{{Wigan Athletic F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:James, Reece}}
Category:People from Redbridge, London
Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Redbridge
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Premier League players
Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:England men's under-21 international footballers
Category:England men's international footballers
Category:UEFA Euro 2020 players
Category:Black British sportsmen
Category:21st-century Black British people
Category:English people of Grenadian descent
Category:English people of Dominica descent