This four-part newsletter series will tell the story of Reece James, Chelsea FC's homegrown talent who joined the club at age six. Rising through the ranks, he now leads the senior team and has been a vital part of the squad for the last five years. This edition covers his upbringing, early years and family. After this post, we'll analyze his past performances, injuries, and his expected influence on Chelsea's future campaigns.
At a glance
- Discover who Reece James is, his childhood, family, and upbringing
- Uncover the roots of his loyalty to the Chelsea FC club
- Describe his impact and performance in the youth competitions
Who is Reece James?
Reece James is the captain of Chelsea FC, a London-based professional football (or soccer, for our American friends) club that has won 20 major trophies in the past two decades and firmly established itself among Europe’s elite. A fan favorite, Reece is an exceptional talent who sparks excitement and expectation the moment he steps onto the pitch.
But how did he get here? Where did he grow up? And what makes him and his family so extraordinary?
Growing through the club academy to reach the higher ranks and captain the senior team, James exemplified dedication, hard work, and most of all deep-rooted loyalty – a quality seldom found in modern-day football players. He has played 158 matches across all competitions for Chelsea in the last five years, scoring 11 goals and 22 assists, and helping the team win top European trophies.
Reece’s football skills can be traced back to his upbringing. Born in 1999, he grew up in the streets of London, playing football every day with his older brother, Josh, and sister, Lauren.
Their father, Nigel James, a professional football coach, had them perform creative technical drills repeatedly, keeping the youngsters engaged while nurturing their talent. As highlighted by Nigel in an interview with Sky Sports, Reece’s ability to stay focused, combined with his father’s early coaching, contributed to his enhanced development. When interviewed by Sky Sports, Nigel James was quoted as saying:
"Reece has always been very focused. We could pull this right back to when he was seven. He was an Under-7 at Fulham, while also with Chelsea, but Reece trained with the Under-9s. He trained with them for a whole year, Tuesday-Thursday sessions with the main group. Having that, alongside what he gained from myself, that really enhanced his development."
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Growing Up in Chelsea
The family moved near Chelsea’s home ground, Stamford Bridge, when Reece was 2 years old. Both Reece and Lauren grew up supporting the club, fostering a deep connection and loyalty to it. Little did they know that one day both of them would be playing professionally for this club.
At the age of six, Reece joined the Chelsea youth academy, playing in various positions and showcasing his versatility.
In 2017, he captained the FA Youth Cup team to victory, while also winning the Academy Player of the Season award. In the following season, he was loaned out to Wigan Athletic, where his raw talent began to catch attention on the senior stage. He was named the club’s Player of the Year and earned a spot in the Championship Team of the Season.
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Making His Mark
Reece has been a prominent figure in Chelsea’s lineup for the last five years. Defensively strong and offensively creative, he provides the team with the confidence to move forward and score goals. He has primarily played as a right back or right wing back defender for both club and country; however, his versatile skill set enables him to assume center and midfield positions as well.
In the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, Reece logged over 6000 minutes on the pitch, providing 15 assists and scoring 7 goals for the club across different competitions. His brilliant performances were crucial in Chelsea’s 2020-21 UEFA Champions League victory, particularly in the quarterfinals against Porto and the final against Manchester City.
He missed most of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons due to several injuries but began to regain his form and fitness in 2025 and is expected to play a pivotal role for Chelsea in the coming years.
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A Family Affair
Following her brother, Lauren joined the Chelsea academy at age 9 in 2010. She transferred to the Arsenal Academy in 2014, making her senior debut at just 16 and becoming one of the youngest players in the club's history. In 2018, she moved to Manchester United, where she helped the team win the championship by scoring 14 goals in 18 appearances. Lauren continued to impress with her exceptional skills over the next three seasons. In 2019-20, she was shortlisted for the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year award and finished as United’s top scorer.
In 2021, Lauren returned to her childhood club, Chelsea. Her consistently impressive performances made her an invaluable member of the squad and won the hearts of fans across the globe. She received the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year award as well as the Women’s Football Young Player of the Year award during the 2022-23 season. In the following year, she was named Chelsea’s Women’s Player of the Year.
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Since her return, Lauren has been a pivotal player in the Chelsea Women’s squad, helping them secure four Women’s Soccer League titles and two FA Cups. This remarkable squad completed a full 22-match season without a loss in the 2024-25 campaign, setting the record as the first and only WSL team to achieve this feat. They also established a record for the highest point total of 60 points in the same season.
Reece and Lauren are the first brother-sister pair to represent their country at the senior level. Reece earned his first England cap in 2020 and has been a reliable force in England’s defense ever since. Lauren debuted in 2022, standing out in the 2023 Women’s World Cup with multiple Player of the Match awards. The pair continues to demonstrate significant growth and is poised to help both their country and club reach new heights.
In the next part of this series, we’ll use data from the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons to analyze Reece’s impact on Chelsea’s games. We will examine popular football metrics, such as expected goals and expected goals allowed, to compare how the club’s performance changes with Reece on the team. Stay tuned!
