Chelsea fullback Reece James has revealed he rejected the chance to join Frank Lampard at Derby County when he was with Wigan.

The pair have since reunited at Stamford Bridge, where 19-year-old James has made 25 appearance this term.

James told FourFourTwo of Lampard: "He wanted to sign me for Derby last January, but it didn't go through. I was happy playing at Wigan.

"It was good to know he rated me, although that was at Championship level, and when you get a big job at a Premier League team, sometimes minds can change. But we spoke when he arrived and he said he wanted to give me a chance.

"I was injured, and he told me to come back in the best shape possible. I'm thankful that I've got to work with him."