Reece James
26-Year-Old
Chelsea
Premier
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.
Starter at right-back
James has been named in England's World Cup squad after a season disrupted by injuries, with the Chelsea captain returning in time to play a key role in the second half of the campaign and push for a starting berth at the tournament.
ANALYSIS
James recorded two goals and five assists across 29 Premier League appearances before his injury interrupted what had been an outstanding start to the season, demonstrating the dynamic right-back qualities that make him one of the most dangerous wide defensive options in the world when fully fit. The defender brings pace, delivery and a genuine goal threat from right-back that gives England an additional attacking dimension, and his return to full fitness is one of the most important developments in manager Tuchel's squad preparation heading into the competition. James heads into the World Cup determined to prove his fitness and cement a starting role in what could be one of the defining tournaments of his career.
James recorded two goals and five assists across 29 Premier League appearances before his injury interrupted what had been an outstanding start to the season, demonstrating the dynamic right-back qualities that make him one of the most dangerous wide defensive options in the world when fully fit. The defender brings pace, delivery and a genuine goal threat from right-back that gives England an additional attacking dimension, and his return to full fitness is one of the most important developments in manager Tuchel's squad preparation heading into the competition. James heads into the World Cup determined to prove his fitness and cement a starting role in what could be one of the defining tournaments of his career.
Soccer Season Stats
Season Stats
Per 90
Per Game
Soccer Season Stats
Loading Per Game Stats...
2026 Soccer Game Log
Current Season
Previous Season
2026 Soccer Game Log
Loading Game Log...
Set Pieces / Depth Chart
Chelsea 2025 Set Piece Crosses and ShotsLoading Weekly Set Pieces...
More Fantasy News
Remains option for Sunday
James is still set to be an option for Sunday's match against Sunderland, according to manager Callum McFarlane. "Reece trained today, and we'll play it day by day with him. He's fit and in good condition, but we know that we've had to manage Reece correctly over the last few games. He obviously played a lot of minutes in the [FA Cup] final, which was a tough game against a really good side, so it was going to take a lot out of him, so we didn't want to risk him on Tuesday. We felt like we had enough to see the game out, which proved to be correct, and we're hoping to have Reece available on Sunday."
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Should start finale
James is expected to be fine for Sunday's finale against Sunderland. According to interim coach Calum McFarlane, "We had Reece on the bench tonight but, again, coming off the back of an injury, the turnaround from the City game, the type of game that the City game was, we didn't really want to risk him in that moment."
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Hopeful to start season finale
James (hamstring) was on the bench for Tuesday's clash against Tottenham but was not risked given the quick turnaround from the FA Cup final, with coach Calum McFarlane hopeful of having him available to start Sunday's season finale against Sunderland. "Reece is the same. We had Reece on the bench tonight but, again, coming off the back of an injury, the turnaround from the City game, the type of game that the City game was, we didn't really want to risk him in that moment. It's definitely a wait and see. We've got a little bit of time from now until then, so we're hopeful, but we won't know that until we see how the next couple of days unfold."
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Could start against Liverpool
James (hamstring) has completed a full week of training and could start Saturday's clash against Liverpool, according to coach Calum McFarlane. "Levi has trained a full week with us, and so has Reece, so it's really positive with those two. We've still got another session before facing Liverpool, but both trained fully today and we're hopeful."
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Returns to bench
James (hamstring) is on the bench for Monday's clash against Nottingham.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
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.