OFFICIAL: Reece James has extended a long-term contract with Chelsea
OFFICIAL: Reece James has extended a long-term contract with Chelsea
OFFICIAL: Reece James has extended a long-term contract with Chelsea
Reece James a Cobham alumnus who started training with us at the age of six, has grown into one of the game’s most promising young players.
He is equally at ease playing in the middle of the field or in a back three as he is playing at wing-back or full-back due to his skill, crossing prowess, positioning, and athleticism. Blues supporters will be able to appreciate James’ extraordinary skill for many more years because he has now committed to the team until 2028.
We are thrilled to offer Reece a new long-term contract at Chelsea, and we are all looking forward to seeing him continue to prosper there as he is an amazing player and a true ambassador of Chelsea, said the club’s chairman Todd Boehly in a statement following the agreement.
Reece is a very exceptional footballer, one that we adore having at Chelsea under our ownership, and the fact that he possesses both physical and technical prowess makes him an extremely valuable member of our squad, both now and in the years to come, said the controlling owners of Chelsea Football Club, Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano.
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Reece James said in a statement, “I am over the moon with my new deal and I’m grateful for the supporters, the new ownership, and everyone linked with the club. I am excited to see what the future holds for us and am certain that we will have the chance to win several trophies.
Since I was six years old, I have been a lifelong supporter of this team, attending games here. I’ve made the decision to work hard to get a new contract since this is the kind of place I want to spend my time. I want to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of my fans and reassure everyone that I will continue to perform.
Before making his professional debut during the 2018–19 season while on loan at Wigan Athletic, James, who will turn 23 in December, excelled for our Academy teams and advanced via our development center program. In December, James becomes 23 years old. He was a tremendous hit and won every trophy given out by the Latics at the end of the season, garnering an astonishing 96% of the votes in their Player of the Year poll. At the awards event, he looked sharp as well.
He did not make his Chelsea debut until September 2019 due to an injury sustained while on international duty the previous summer, but he made a remarkable first impression by scoring a magnificent long-range goal in the encounter against Grimsby in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
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James thereafter became a dependable player for Frank Lampard’s Chelsea squad, where he showed the same degree of proficiency at right wingback and fullback, respectively. His equalizer against Ajax, which made him our youngest Champions League goal scorer, was his personal highlight. After falling behind 4-1, the team made a spectacular comeback, and this goal brought the Bridge to its feet. He considered his goal to be a personal high point.
James began the 2020–21 campaign at Brighton with an incredible goal, and he concluded it as an England player clutching the Champions League trophy in his palm. These two successes occurred at the end of the season. Being one of the numerous star performers in Porto was just another example of how at ease he is performing in front of a large audience.
Chelsea’s Reece James in action
James was a right wingback who posed an offensive threat throughout the entire previous season. His season was cut short by a muscle injury that kept him out for more than three months, but he still managed to provide ten assists and six goals across all competitions.
These included delectable goals in convincing victories over Juventus and Arsenal, as well as a thunderous double against Newcastle at St. James’ Park. Also at St. James’ Park, he scored a spectacular brace against Newcastle.
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Given that he scored the winning penalty in two Carabao Cup shootouts earlier in the year, it should not be surprising that his absence was keenly felt in the early months of this year.
When he returned to form, his play quality and calmness in tight situations stood out during our thrilling triumph at the Bernabeu, which occurred at a time when Chelsea was so close to overturning a huge first-leg deficit. The European football community, both players and fans, sat up and took notice once more.
James has already made 128 appearances for the Blues, but because to this fresh, long-term deal, he will likely add significantly more in the years to come. Reece, I am very pleased for you!
