Reece James
26-Year-Old
Chelsea
Premier
GTD
Injury Hamstring
Est. Return 7/11/2026
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Injuries continue to define James's young career, limiting him to just 19 appearances last season, still his highest total since the 2021/22 campaign. His production was a little hit or miss, mostly due to inconsistent minutes because of injury concern. He returned from injuries in January and slowly ramped up his minutes on the pitch, but he rarely started or played extended minutes in back-to-back games. His upside is evident as a defender who gets forward and takes a random set or two, but injury concern and minutes remain a big problem in season-long fantasy.
Could return against Norway
James is expected to be available for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against Norway after recovering from a hamstring injury, according to manager Thomas Tuchel, per BBCMOTD.
ANALYSIS
James has missed England's last three matches after suffering the injury against Ghana during the group stage. The defender's expected return would provide a significant boost ahead of the knockout clash, as he remains one of the squad's top options at right-back when fully fit. Having resumed his recovery work over the past week, James now appears on track to rejoin the matchday squad. His availability could give coach Thomas Tuchel greater flexibility on the right flank against Norway.
James has missed England's last three matches after suffering the injury against Ghana during the group stage. The defender's expected return would provide a significant boost ahead of the knockout clash, as he remains one of the squad's top options at right-back when fully fit. Having resumed his recovery work over the past week, James now appears on track to rejoin the matchday squad. His availability could give coach Thomas Tuchel greater flexibility on the right flank against Norway.
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More Fantasy News
Not training, unlikely to play
James (hamstring) was absent from England's practice Saturday as he continued to follow a personal recovery program, with coach Thomas Tuchel saying his availability depends on a late medical check, per Henry Winter of World Soccer.
ANALYSIS
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Still needs to resume training
James (hamstring) is feeling good and targeting availability for Sunday's round of 16 tie against Mexico, though he has yet to return to full training ahead of the fixture, according to Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport.
ANALYSIS
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Targeting return for Mexico clash
James is feeling good and targeting availability for Sunday's round of 16 tie against Mexico, expressing optimism about his recovery after the hamstring injury that kept him out of the last two games, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.
ANALYSIS
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Closing in on return
James (hamstring) is getting closer to a return but remains slightly behind Jarell Quansah in his recovery and will miss Wednesday's round of 32 clash against DR Congo, according to coach Thomas Tuchel, per The Standard. "They are getting closer and closer. I saw both of them on the pitch. Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reece in the nature of the injury. But the race was close even to make it into the squad this time. So we need to make sure we have more matches and then they will be available very soon."
ANALYSIS
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Misses DR Congo fixture
James (hamstring) has been ruled out of England's round of 32 clash against DR Congo, according to Rob Dorsett, per SkySportsNews.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Interested in joining Benfica?
James is exploring his possibility once his Chelsea contract expires and Benfica is one of the teams he'd be interested in playing for, according to Football Transfers.
ANALYSIS
James has struggled with injuries for the better part of the last two seasons, and even if he remains an important player in the Chelsea hierarchy, don't be surprised if he decides to leave the club in the future. The 24-year-old defender is exploring through his representatives the possibility of joining Barcelona or Benfica.
James has struggled with injuries for the better part of the last two seasons, and even if he remains an important player in the Chelsea hierarchy, don't be surprised if he decides to leave the club in the future. The 24-year-old defender is exploring through his representatives the possibility of joining Barcelona or Benfica.